FIH Junior World Ranking: 13

How they qualified: 2nd Place – Junior Oceania Cup 2022

Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 9th, 2013 – 7th, 2009 – 4th, 2001 – 9th, 1982 – 10th

New Zealand were unable to qualify for the 2022 Junior World Cup in South Africa due to the continued fall-out of the covid-19 global health pandemic, which resulted in the cancellation of the 2021 Junior Oceania Cup. The Junior Black Sticks make a welcome return in 2023, which will be their sixth Junior World Cup campaign. Their best performance to date came in 2009 when they finished fourth, with Oceania rivals Australia beating them 4-1 in the bronze medal match. Following a second place finish at last year’s Junior Oceania Cup, the team finished sixth in the eight-team Sultan of Johor Cup, which took place in Johor, Malaysia in October / November. New Zelaand defeated Malaysia (3-2) and South Africa (3-1) in Johor, with Luke Aldred top scoring for his team with three goals, all coming from penalty corners. Team captain Benjamin Culhane has earned 11 caps for the Black Sticks senior team, all of which came in the 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League season.