At this time of year, that debate gets even hotter than a servo pie, the ones the police warn you to blow on first.
Because this is a time when families come together from all corners of Aotearoa for Christmas, the conversation will turn to cricket and the best grounds in New Zealand.
At this point, like a huntaway rounding up sheep, Kiwis feel it is their duty to defend their local patch and pitch.
Uncle Peter from Auckland will swear by Eden Park, waving his arms like he is Lance Cairns in full bowling action and declaring it “the national stadium, the home of the nation’s game”.
Down south, someone will nod knowingly about the charm of Hagley Oval or whisper reverently about the Basin Reserve, reminding everyone of the day Brendon McCullum scored 302 and people ran along Kent Terrace to witness the moment, crying and cheering at the same time.
Meanwhile, someone from the Mount will casually drop “Bay Oval” into conversation with a smug grin, certain that sun, sand, and sixes settle the argument once and for all.
And then there is always one cousin who shrugs and says, “Anywhere with a good feed and a cold beer and I’m happy”.
That cousin is usually from a small town that plays on an artificial pitch where the rugby posts are still at long-on.
So, how do you actually decide which is the best cricket ground in New Zealand?
Well, let us break it down.
First, there is history and atmosphere.
The Basin Reserve in Wellington has it in spades.
Walk in, and you can almost hear the echoes of old matches, the sound of the ball skimming across the pitch, and the cheers from crowds decades ago.
It is a place where legends have played, where Kiwi cricket has been forged through sun, rain, and that Wellington breeze, also known as an 80km/h southerly, that sends hats flying and leaves opposition players wearing three vests.
For pure heritage points, the Basin Reserve is tough to beat.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention the pōhutukawa trees on the bank, the saviour of many a commentator trying to fill time during a rain delay.
Then there is the aesthetic factor. Some grounds just make you stop and appreciate the scene.
Seddon Park in Hamilton, for example, is tucked among trees and greenery.
It feels intimate, like you are part of the game even if you are sitting a few rows back eating your hot chips.
Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui offers something different but equally spectacular, a modern, well-maintained ground, a sun-soaked vibe that makes even a mid-afternoon slog feel cinematic.
It would also be remiss not to mention the neighbouring salt factory, which gives the impression of a snowy mountain backdrop.
But we cannot ignore the conditions for play.
Take Eden Park, for example. It is a great stadium, full of history and noise, but trying to play cricket there can feel a bit like fitting a round game into a rectangular rugby field.
Forget the old saying about a round peg in a square hole. This is more like asking a cover drive to find space between the 22 and the try line.
Fielding placements take on a whole new level of creativity, and a top edge can clear the boundary by accident.
Then, of course, there is the crowd factor.
Nothing beats a crowd that really gets into the game.
At Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the atmosphere is electric, and the locals do love their white dress code in Canterbury, if only cricket required RM Williams boots.
But there really is something to be said for a modern ground designed with the game in mind, though a few extra shaded areas would not go amiss.
Some spectators arrive looking like a pristine white cricket ball and leave resembling a well-baked red one.
And let us not forget the creature comforts.
Toilets, parking, hot food, and cold beer, because honestly, cricket in New Zealand is as much about soaking up the sun and enjoying a hot dog and chips as it is about watching perfect cover drives.
Grounds like Hagley Oval and Bay Oval have got this balance nailed.
Choosing a favourite is like arguing over the best fish and chips in town.
Everyone is passionate, and if you disagree, you are considered a culinary philistine.
The truth is, the best cricket ground in New Zealand is the one where you can sit back, watch the ball sail into the outfield, cheer with the crowd, and enjoy a hot dog and chips while waiting for the umpires to decide whether it is just a passing shower or a game-stopping downpour.
At the end of the day, cricket in New Zealand is not just about runs and wickets.
It is about sunshine, camaraderie, and the shared joy of the summer game.
So find your ground, grab a seat, and enjoy the perfect Kiwi cricket experience, wherever that may be.
