Trans-Tasman hockey is returning as the New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation along with Ice Hockey Australia have recently announced the two nations will clash in a women’s ice hockey three day extravaganza.

Fresh off the most recent Trans-Tasman series between the two men’s senior teams, both the Ice Fernz and Aussie Flyers will compete in a three game series of top level women’s hockey.

As women’s ice hockey in the region continues to grow gaining momentum across the world alongside the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), the announcement of the Trans-Tasman series is another boost for women’s sport.

“This is an exciting time for ice hockey. Our domestic women’s league has been growing in popularity, so the time is right to showcase the spectacle of our national women’s team against our closest rivals, Australia,” NZIHF President Andy Mills told the official IHA Facebook page.

The Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) is fresh off its most successful season in 2023/24, and with the four-team New Zealand Women’s Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL) commencing on June 22 it continues momentum.

“I am thrilled to be announcing this series with our friends from New Zealand,” said IHA President Ryan O’Handley on the official press release.

“We have tremendous momentum behind women’s ice hockey right now and the skill and level of play in the AWIHL continues to increase. It will be an amazing series for our national women’s team and our fans.”

Furthermore, dates and location for the three game series are yet to be announced with both governing bodies working through the process of finalising arrangements.

Official announcement from NZIHF can be found here.