New Zealand played its first game in 2004 against Turkey during the Division III tournament of the 2004 IIHF World U20 Championship.

During the 2006 Division II Group A tournament New Zealand suffered their worst defeat in international competition, losing to the Netherlands men's national junior ice hockey team 0–19.

[1] The team continued to compete at the World Championships up until 2008 where they gained promotion after winning the Division III tournament.

During the tournament they also achieved their largest ever victory in international competition when they defeated Turkey 20–1.

In 2012 they finished third in the Division III tournament held in Dunedin, New Zealand.