''I'm definitely not recognised on the streets in Australia,'' Ockenden said.
''It is a tough market for hockey.''
Ockenden (26) got his first cap for the Kookaburras in 2006 at the age of 19 and has now played 190 games for Australia. He was the youngest member of the team that won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
His pedigree is impressive, and it is no wonder locals are excited Ockenden has come to New Zealand to play for Southern in the national league.
He played for Canterbury in 2007 and will now aim to help the Southern men go one better than last year, when they were beaten in the final.
''I have been here before and had a good time and I've been on holiday here,'' Ockenden said.
''It's really exciting and I'm keen to get going this weekend.''
In 2011, Ockenden was named in the world all-star team, and he has been named in the hockey media's world team for the last three years. But those sorts of honours are not important to him.
''I'm not playing the game for that sort of thing. I just want to keep playing for Australia and be successful at international tournaments. That's what I will judge my career on in the end.''
He turned professional in 2008 and makes his living playing around the world.
''You can't make a living as a hockey player in Australia,'' he said.
''You need to play overseas. Every player works or studies, as well as playing hockey.''
He was one of the first players picked for the Hockey India League that started in January. He fetched $65,000 at auction.
''It's never been done in hockey before. It is similar to the IPL in cricket but the salary cap gets nowhere near what is offered in cricket.''
Ockenden played professional hockey in the Netherlands for three seasons from 2008 to 2011.
He grew up in Tasmania but now lives in Perth and is looking to his future by taking a communications course online.
Ockenden was a member of Australian teams that won gold medals at the Champions Trophy in 2009 and 2011 and at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.
But his playing highlights have been to reach the podium twice at the Olympic Games. Australia won the bronze medal in Beijing in 2008 and in London last year.
''Going to the Olympics is every hockey player's dream,'' he said.
''It was an amazing experience and something I was really proud of. I want to keep playing for Australia and winning medals. I want another gold medal at next year's Commonwealth Games in Scotland.''
Ockenden was introduced to hockey by his mother, Angela, from an early age. She played state hockey for Tasmania.
''I love the game,'' he said.
''It is really quick. It has been getting a faster and faster game over the last few years. It's really skilful and everyone in the team is involved.''
Both the Southern men and the Southern women open their national league campaigns with games in Timaru (today, v Canterbury) and Wellington (tomorrow, v Capital).
Eddie Ockenden
Hockey star
Age: 26.
Home: Perth.
Position: Midfielder or striker.
Record: Olympic Games, bronze medals Beijing (2008) and London (2012); Commonwealth Games, gold medal Delhi (2010); Champions Trophy, gold medals Melbourne (2009) and Auckland (2011); world cup, gold medal Delhi (2010).
