"I think it is such a wonderful opportunity for a society our size and we need to make the most of it."
The Festival of Hockey held earlier this year was just one example of how Hawke's Bay was getting behind the sport, and Mr Mactaggart said it was expanding each year.
"I think it is really exciting to see how it is growing, year on year it keeps getting bigger."
Both the men's and women's national teams booked quarter-final births after winning their latest pool games at the Rio Olympics.
The Black Sticks men faced world No3 Germany at 11.30am today while the women face transtasman rivals Australia Tuesday 1am.
Black Stick Emily Gaddum, who was unavailable for Rio due to pregnancy, said they were very grateful for the support.
Gaddum said life off the turf was also going well, as the team were enjoying the atmosphere and surroundings of the Olympic village.
"Rio had certainly put it on weatherwise with playing temperatures averaging in the high 20s," she said.
Mr Mactaggart encouraged members of the community to rally together as they had reached the knockout stages of the tournament.
"Watch them, support them and wish them well by sending messages of encouragement to the team online."
- To get behind the team, visit the Black Sticks' facebook page: facebook.com/nzblacksticks/home