SHUMAILA ASLAM
Scandinavian News Agency
Bureau Chief Pakistan
The Idaburn Trophy, a historic day-long curling tournament, was recently held on the Centennial Ponds in Naseby, Central Otago. Teams from local curling clubs gathered to compete, keeping alive traditions that date back more than a century.
The sport of curling was first introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century by Scottish goldminers. Since then, it has become a unique part of the region’s culture. Farmers, locals, and enthusiasts now continue the legacy—sweeping stones on the ice while reconnecting with their community.
At Ice Inline Molyneux Park, social curling nights bring together players with humorous team names such as Plonkers, Too Dam Cold, and Doom and Broom. The sound of sweeping brushes and the shouts of “sweeeep!” echo across the ice as 11kg curling stones glide across the rink.
The tradition of crampit curling, which dates back to the 1500s in Scotland where it was played on frozen lochs, remains alive in Central Otago. The first reported curling match in the region took place in 1878, and since then, the sport has become an enduring winter pastime—complete with fuzzy hats, a family spirit, and even a local rule banning swearing during games.
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