Stories by Stephen Hewson

First Person - Ahead of the Lions tour of New Zealand, Stephen Hewson remembers watching the All Blacks take on the Lions at Athletic Park in 1977. Video

Sports Call - Fair play to Sonny Bill Williams. He's standing up for what he believes. But he's also biting the hand that feeds writes Stephen Hewson.

Sports Call - The third and final test against South Africa in Hamilton will reveal a lot about the mettle of this inexperienced Black Caps side but also Kane Williamson's captaincy writes Sports…

The sudden death of former Australian international Dan Vickerman has prompted New Zealand players to seek help with mental health issues.

The All Blacks coach says it's hard to understand that the team's own security consultant has been charged over installing a listening device in their meeting room.

Outspoken - New Zealand prides itself on its sporting prowess, but is the idea that it's part of our identity just a romantic myth? Stephen Hewson takes a closer look. Audio

Rowing champions Mahe Drysdale and Hamish Bond could join forces for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sports Call - Steven Adams' phenomenal rise in the NBA - and the associated pay cheque - is being celebrated, but New Zealand basketball is unlikely to benefit, writes Stephen Hewson.

The 36-year-old Wellington off spinner Jeetan Patel doesn't anticipate his return to the Black Caps will amount to anything more than a couple of guest appearances.

Phoenix fans will be thinking this must surely be the year for the Wellington-based football club to deliver - and they are not alone.

It's nearly 30 years since the New Zealand cricketers last won a test in India and recent form suggests they'll struggle to turn that around when the Black Caps begin a three test series in Kanpur…

In its 68-year history, the Paralympics has grown from a competition for injured WWII veterans to an international event involving athletes from 160 countries.

The memory of late All Black great Jonah Lomu will loom large in Friday's memorial match between Wellington and Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe.

Sports Call - There's an element of sadness as the curtain comes down on the Rio Olympics, but as Stephen Hewson writes, it's not because the Games are over.

Sports Call - The day of reckoning looms for New Zealand as Olympic medal expectations teeter, writes Stephen Hewson.

Rio 2016 Olympics - Strong winds again forced the organisers to call off another day's rowing but they remain confident the regatta can be completed on time.

Rio 2016 Olympics - Hearing a defending Olympic champion admit he's got things wrong in the buildup to the Rio Games wouldn't necessaritly inspire confidence and indicate another gold medal is in the…

First person- With two hour traffic delays, poor plumbing and dodgy wiring, it'll take more than a few finishing touches to get Rio ready for the Olympics, writes RNZ's Stephen Hewson.

Zika, superbugs, sewage and security concerns all stand in the way of success for New Zealand athletes at the Rio Olympics - and that's even before they have got to the starting line to take on the…

Sports Call - The biggest show on Earth kicks off in Rio shortly, and while one survey suggests NZ could enjoy its most successful Olympics ever, there is also scepticism about the Games themselves.

If ever there was such as thing as a dead cert Olympic gold medal - rowers Hamish Bond and Eric Murray are it.

Nick Willis might be an Olympic veteran but he has shown he is still a force to be reckoned with in one of the glamour events on the track, the 1500m.

The finals of the World T20 in India beckon for both the New Zealand men's and women's cricket teams. Audio

TRIBUTE: Martin Crowe will be remembered as New Zealand's greatest batsman, but also as one who demanded the utmost high standards of himself and those around him.

Sports Call - Outgoing skipper Brendon McCullum's last match marks the end of an era for the Black Caps. Stephen Hewson looks ahead. Video