It's not all about the winners.
While the Silver Ferns and Black Caps are being feted for their recent World Cup efforts, the falling numbers of young people playing sport is prompting a shake up in approach by leading New Zealand sports.
New Zealand captain Laura Langman holds the Netball World Cup trophy with Maria Folau, Phoenix Karaka and Shannon Saunders after victory over Australia. Photo: Photosport
Sport New Zealand is spearheading a programme to bring fun and development back into sport, to combat the negative experiences it says too many young people are having that are driving them away from sport.
Rugby, netball, cricket, football and hockey are pledging to change their ways and put a stop to early specialisation, over-training and an over-emphasis on winning.
"Sporting organisations are aware of the problem and some are already making changes, but more is required," chief executive of Sport New Zealand Peter Miskimmin said.
The five sports have signed a statement of intent they believe will pave the way for change.
Jennie Wyllie from Netball New Zealand and David White from Cricket New Zealand
Nearly 600,000 young people participate in rugby, netball, football, cricket and hockey each week.
"Sport isn't simply about the elite ... it remains as relevant to amateur, lower-grade and social participants as it does to the professionals," he said.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White is urging parents, caregivers and coaches to allow children to experience a variety of sport, rather than concentrating on one.
"Early specialisation in sport reflects an adult mindset, rather than what is most enjoyable and, by definition, best for the child.
"Allowing children to experience a wide range of activities and experiences means they will transfer skills and strategies from different sports to create more rounded and socially-balanced individuals."
NZ Football CEO Andrew Pragnell anticipates resistance to the change in approach from sports. Photo: Photosport
The change will meet resistance, concedes New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell.
"It is never easy to make changes to culture, but we need to look at the way our young people play sport and ensure it is appropriate for their stage of development.
"We are also excited about what this culture change could mean for off the field, as we strive to improve our side-line behaviour in all sports."
The movement challenges traditional models with support from both formal research and experience.
Hockey NZ chief executive Ian Francis said a more balanced approach would help to combat factors such as burnout and the startlingly high rates of dropout in sport.
Keeping teenagers in sport is a challenge facing all sports codes. Photo: ( RNZ / Bridget Tunnicliffe )
"Traditionally we have viewed early success in hockey as being an indicator for future success.
"We now know this is not true and that a balanced approach to sports during your youth years is going to provide an athlete with a more well-rounded skillset when they get into adult levels of the sport."
Failing to be picked for teams "has led to the large dropout rates in youth sports in New Zealand".
"We know that young people develop and pick things up at different rates and removing deselection at an early age is going to make kids enjoy the sport more and play for the love of the game," said Francis.
Netball had already implemented changes and would continue to review its offerings.
"Young people are not mini adults and it is important to meet their needs, taking into consideration their physical, cognitive, social abilities and well-being", said Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie.
Rugby has also welcomed the approach, saying it is consistent with the approach of many provincial unions who have removed representative programmes for players under 14.
"We know that the thinking around youth sport has changed and we want to put the player at the centre of everything we do," said New Zealand Rugby's chief rugby officer Nigel Cass.