New Zealand cheerleaders off to defend their world title

Thirty of the country's best cheerleaders will be heading to the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida later this month.

On April 22, the Team New Zealand cheerleaders will be heading to the States for two weeks to defend their first ranking title against 70 countries and 30,000 cheerleaders worldwide.

New Zealand has won gold two years in a row at the World Champs in 2014 and 2015. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand won gold two years in a row at the World Champs in 2014 and 2015.

The team will be undergoing intense training on the North Shore this week, with a 12-hour-a-day, week-long boot camp.