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Canterbury Families Launch New Zealand Pickleball Brand – Dink

on 26 Jun 2025

Two Canterbury families with an extensive background in tennis have taken the plunge to start their own brand of equipment and help introduce an emerging sport into New Zealand – pickleball.

Launched in October 2024, Dink has designed their own range of pickleball products for the New Zealand market, while also helping grow the sport by teaching it from the ground up. Dink’s mission is to make pickleball accessible and affordable for all, and they are proud to provide affordable yet stylish paddles and accessories to Kiwi players.

Managing Director (and Pickleball Coach) Tim McHarg believes that the uniqueness of pickleball lies in its ability to transcend age, demographics, and ability.

“Anyone can play together and have a competitive or social game and have some great rallies very quickly,” he says.

And the most rewarding part so far? “Seeing so many Kiwis learning a new sport, getting active and having fun at the same time.”

The sport of pickleball itself has gone from strength to strength overseas. It is the United States of America’s fastest-growing sport for the past four consecutive years, and over 10% of tennis courts there have now been converted to pickleball courts. It is looking likely that the sport will be featured at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia.

Director Tim Meredith (known as ‘the other Tim’) sees the same trend continuing here in New Zealand.

“Pickleball is now being introduced into secondary schools and in some schools is now being used as part of their NCEA Physical Education programme” he explains, noting that Dink recently hosted Canterbury high school PE teachers.

Dink Coaching at The Eastern Canopy

Dink Demo Day at the Eastern Canopy

“We ran sessions where P.E teachers had the opportunity to come and play the sport, learn the rules and gain some ideas on how to teach pickleball to students in a class setting. Pickleball is the perfect racket sport for schools because the court size is smaller, more people can play in smaller spaces, and it is much easier to play and teach than traditional racket sports.”

Mr McHarg credits the company’s growth to its innovative approach. Dink has developed backyard sets that make it easy for Kiwi’s to enjoy pickleball in driveways, workplaces, retirement villages, and community spaces. Dink also offers regulation-sized equipment for more competitive play. The brand initially focused on beginner and intermediate players, offering two tailored product lines: ‘Play’ for casual games and
‘Performance’ for more competitive play.

“We’re now working on our Pro Series and expect to launch it in collaboration with an international pickleball brand by the end of the year.”

thumbnail_Dink Backyard Family Bundle
Dink’s most popular product to date has been the Family Bundle.

Adapting standard-sized nets to fit into most household garages and driveways has widened their customer base. Mr Meredith says, “It’s allowing the sport to become more accessible. We genuinely have a fun (which often turns competitive) game with my two daughters and wife (also Dink’s marketing manager) in our driveway. It has been a great way to improve their hand-eye coordination, which will carry over into other sports as they get older. And it’s the go-to activity as a backyard game at BBQ’s with friends.”

Dink is committed to growing the sport from the grassroots. The team has been hosting free clinics for the community, teachers, and retirees, as well as organised coaching and corporate events.

“The sport will truly establish itself in New Zealand as purpose-built or multi-sport facilities are created and converted,” says Mr McHarg. “Currently, the sport is largely played on tennis courts or in community buildings. Specialist pickleball facilities are underway now, and we believe this will be a game-changer for the continued growth of the sport here.”

Recently, Dink has opened an indoor facility in collaboration with the Cashmere Club.

“We identified quickly that to establish our product in the market, we needed to be part of the solution to promote the sport itself,” says Mr Meredith.

The Cashmere Club has provided a venue that enables anyone in the community to book and play, as well as a base for coaching and corporate events.

“It was a natural progression to open our own facility, and the Cashmere Club has been visionary in backing the sport’s potential with the number of people pickleball can attract.”

Dink’s goal is to be an integral part of the pickleball community in New Zealand, contributing to the growth of the sport. Dink – Play pickleball with style.

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