New Zealand star Chris Wood has been a journeyman throughout his career, but he has found a home at Nottingham Forest and is reaping the rewards.

He left his homeland as a teenager to pursue a dream in England, but it wasn’t until he joined Burnley in 2017 that he truly showcased his talent.

During his prolific five-year spell with Burnley, Wood hit double figures in four consecutive seasons and helped the club punch well above their weight.

Things did not go as planned after he signed for Newcastle United and they eventually shipped him off to Forest on loan in January 2023.

Wood made a slow start to life at Forest, largely due to to injury problems, but he has transformed into a different beast under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career and his goalscoring exploits have helped Forest secure a place in the 2025/26 Europa Conference League.

One of the most noteworthy elements of football today is the global nature of the Premier League, and Wood has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity in New Zealand.

Lucrative broadcast deals, live streaming services and other digital platforms have brought the English top flight closer to the Kiwis than ever before.

Streaming numbers are on the rise

When Sky NZ announced a six-year deal to bring the Premier League back to its platforms from the 2022/23 season, Wood was struggling to find his feet at Newcastle.

His massive turnaround at Forest has given local football fans plenty to cheer about since then, so the broadcast deal couldn’t have come at a better time for Kiwis.

After losing the rights to Spark Sport in 2018, Sky subsequently reclaimed the crown jewel of global football coverage in New Zealand.

With Wood spearheading Forest’s attack, Kiwi fans have been clamouring to watch their compatriot via Sky’s subscription channels and the Sky Sport Now streaming service.

Since Wood joined Forest, there has been a notable spike in viewership in each game, while visits to football livescore platforms have also gone through the roof.

The numbers will rise even further now Forest have qualified for Europe, and the knock-on effect could also be felt in other sectors.

An increasing number of Kiwi fans will be eager to find the latest football news about the two-time European champions, while betting activity on the club will also increase.

Most Kiwi bettors have traditionally focused on rugby union and horse racing for their wagering activities, but Wood’s presence at Forest is changing the dynamic.

A partnership with Auckland would boost Forest’s profile in Oceania

Wood has made it clear he is willing to see out his career in New Zealand, so an emotional return to his native Auckland is a huge possibility over the next few years.

A return home could even create the possibility of a potential partnership between Forest and Auckland FC. The multi-club model is already popular, especially among Premier League clubs. 

Forest share owner Evangelos Marinakis with Greek giants Olympiacos, but there is no reason why Auckland could not jump on the bandwagon.

A link-up with Forest would not only benefit the A-League club, but would also allow the former to widen the scope of their own operations.

Marinakis has built a Forest squad strong enough to punch above their weight and secure a place in Europe. He could help Auckland become big-hitters in their market.

Some Forest fans follow Olympiacos’ fortunes on livescore websites due to the relationship between the two clubs and Auckland could benefit in the same manner.

Wood has never previously had the opportunity to play in the A-League, but it would be a big coup for Auckland if he eventually signs for them.