Kiwi athletes share Christmas plans amid busy training schedules

Whether it’s the end, middle, or start of their season, not all athletes can enjoy Christmas like the everyday Kiwi. However, amid training schedules and nutrition plans, sportspeople generally find a way to celebrate the year that’s been.

Kiwi athletes shared with Newstalk ZB how they are spending this year’s Christmas.

Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker. Photo/ Getty Images

An impending arrival means the gym is about as far as leading mixed martial artist Dan Hooker is going over the Christmas period.

The UFC’s sixth-ranked lightweight, who fights out of Auckland’s City Kickboxing, is eagerly awaiting the birth of a second child in the new year.

While staying ready for his next trip to the octagon — Hooker’s got a clear priority over these holidays.

“Bit of training, get ready for next year. Wifey’s about to drop in February, so we won’t get too far away from home.”

Isaac Peach

A world title Christmas wish for top boxing trainer Isaac Peach.

A full-on holiday season is in full force for the Peach Boxing founder, who’s preparing Mea Motu for her shot at becoming a unified world champion in Britain on January 25.

Peach says they’re busy juggling Christmas festivities with plenty of hard work in the gym.

Hayden Wilde

Hayden Wilde nears the finish line in this year's IronMan 70.3 World Championship 2024 in Taupō. Photo / Getty Images

Triathlete Hayden Wilde’s trading in the swimsuit and jandals for his winter woollies this Christmas.

Wilde, 27, is putting his feet up after a mammoth year in which he claimed silver at the Olympics in Paris — as well as the half-ironman world championships held this month at Taupō.

Wilde says it’s his turn to travel to the other side of the world for the festive season.

“My partner’s from Belgium, so we do year on, year off for Christmas,” said Wilde.

“You’ve got to please both sides of the family, so [I’m] off to Belgium to have a white Christmas.

“And then I’ll try to get fit again after Christmas dinner and pudding.”

He has opted to skip some of the usual world triathlon series stops in favour of longer endurance events as part of a broader plan for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

James O’Connor

A return to a Kiwi Christmas of sorts for new Crusader James O’Connor.

The former Wallabies playmaker has called Christchurch home for a month since his Super Rugby move from the Queensland Reds.

O’Connor’s parents are from Rotorua and Cambridge — he grew up in Te Atatū in Auckland’s west before moving across the ditch.

He is looking forward to a bit of downtime at a well-known Canterbury holiday spot.

Scott Barrett

The All Blacks captain is likely to be found out on a lake on Christmas Day.

“Hopefully get up to a lake, bit of time on the water,” he said. “Possibly tie my wee boy behind a biscuit on a boat.

“Or he can throw stones on the lake edge, if that’s what he prefers.”

Scott Barrett is enjoying some downtime after a turbulent first year as the New Zealand test skipper, featuring nine wins and four losses.

Barrett says he’ll spend the day at his wife’s family farm.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio

Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Photo / Photosport

A soak in the ocean is the plan for Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and her young family on Christmas morning.

The mother of two is enjoying a relaxed day with loved ones, before the New Zealand netball side jet across to Sydney next month for a summer camp.

Ekenasio says they’ve been hotly anticipating Santa’s arrival.

Many of the Silver Ferns will be training between mince pies and present-opening today, with a summer camp looming in the new year.

“There’s probably a big chunk of our girls that do, because you train in the morning, get it done, and just feel a bit better,” Ekenasio said.

“I don’t want to say ‘you go and earn your feast’, but it does feel a bit better, you kind of feel like you earn it.”

With no Nations Cup in January, the New Zealand netball team will instead spend a week training with the New South Wales Swifts in Sydney.

Ekenasio says she doesn’t train on Christmas, but she’s an outlier.

Tommy Smith

It will be a family-focused Christmas for Auckland FC defender Tommy Smith.

It’s still a game week for the Black Knights, who visit Central Coast on Saturday.

Smith is spending time with loved ones.

“[I’m] just having all the family over, my parents are coming up from Papamoa, and my in-laws are over from the UK at the minute as well.

“So we’ll all spend Christmas together.”

Nando Pijnaker

Auckland FC players can’t afford to indulge too heavily in Christmas pudding today, with their next A-League match against Central Coast on Saturday.

Defender Nando Pijnaker says they want to keep the foot on the pedal.

“It’s a busy time for us, but hopefully we continue our run of wins, and that’s it really.”

Dame Noeline Taurua

Dame Noeline Taurua. Photo / Photosport

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has jumped ship across the Tasman for a Christmas holiday.

She’ll head back there with the New Zealand netball squad next month for a summer camp alongside the New South Wales Swifts.

“We’re going over to Sydney from the 24th to 31st of December. It’s a whirlwind of a holiday, then I’ve got a few things to do around the house when I get back.”

Taurua says they’ll have a few days off before getting stuck into some chores.

Aimee Fisher

A whirlwind year for kayaker Aimee Fisher will conclude with her settling in her home of Hawke’s Bay for the summer.

The 29-year-old missed out on a medal in the women’s K1 500 race at the Paris Olympics but has announced her bid to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 event.

As part of the upcoming cycle, she’s moved back to her hometown of Hawke’s Bay after 10 years in Auckland.

Fisher is ready to put her feet up for the holidays.

Fisher says she’ll reduce her training this summer — a far cry from last year when she was preparing for the Olympics.

“I’ll do a bit of training through Christmas and the new year, but not like I usually would,” she said.

“Last year, Christmas was pretty intense, being an Olympic year. [This year], I’ll still be moving, still exercising, but nothing too aggressive.”

Sir Russell Coutts

Sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts is having a relaxed Christmas — before a busy new year begins.

The three-time America’s Cup winner is back for a rare festive season on New Zealand soil.

Now SailGP boss, Coutts says he’s looking forward to the Moth World Championships — with several young Kiwi sailors competing at the Manly Club, near his home base north of Auckland.

“Christmas in New Zealand is hugely appealing to me. I’ve spent a few Christmases off-shore, so it’s great to be back here in New Zealand.”

Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson has an extra reason to celebrate Christmas following his promotion to Red Bull’s Formula One team for the 2025 season.

The 22-year-old is back in New Zealand for the festive season but will return to Red Bull headquarters early in the new year to begin preparations.

Lawson has given himself one cheat day and there is one food he’s very excited for.

“We normally have a sick breakfast, and then hit the beach or something like that,” said Lawson.

“We’d normally do French toast. Christmas is my cheat day, so it’ll be French toast and lots of good stuff.”

Parker Jackson-Cartwright

The NZ Breakers are hoping to bring some festive cheer to their struggling fans tonight.

They’re looking to snap a seven-game losing streak when they face the  defending champion Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart from 8pm.Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright says while it’s a day of celebration, it’s business as usual for the players. 

“You say happy Christmas to your teammates and family back home,” he said. “And then you play a game. It’s a special day, just another day for us to win a game.”

Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast, and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a full-time journalist.