Sports
Whangarei is home to the Northland rugby union team, a professional side competing in the ITM Cup, the highest level of provincial rugby in New Zealand. They play out of Okara Park, the largest stadium in the region, which also hosted two matches during Rugby World Cup 2011.
The football (soccer) club North Force who compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1 are based in Whangarei.
Whangarei's Field Hockey facility has hosted several international matches. Several hockey players from Northland have been selected for the Black Sticks Women since 2000.
The Whangarei Speedway attracts drivers from outside the Northlad region.
Northland is also represented at the highest national domestic level in Golf.
The Northland rugby league team, representing the Northland Region in New Zealand Rugby League competitions, is based in Whangarei. They currently compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy as the Northern Swords. Between 2006 and 2007 they were part of the Bartercard Cup, playing under the name the Northern Storm. Northland was originally known as North Auckland and has previously used the nickname the Wild Boars.
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