National Provincial Championship: The History

Ever since early in the 20th century, the great competition involving New Zealand's provinces has been the Ranfurly Shield, donated in 1901 by Lord Ranfurly as a challenge trophy. While the National Provincial Championship began in the 1970s, the Ranfurly Shield has remained, the result depending on a one-off match which favours the holders.

In 1975 a committee of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was set up to organise representative rugby into a provincial championship. And consequently the National Provincial Championship started quietly in 1976.

From the start it was divided into three divisions - a first division and second division (north) and a second division (south). The first division had eleven teams - North Auckland (now called Northland), Auckland, Counties, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland - and this splitting up of teams persisted till 1984 with promotion and relegation in operation.

However, this system changed as it was deemed not very fair. The lowest-placed North Island first division side was automatically relegated, and the winner of the Northern second division was automatically promoted. In 1979 Taranaki were relegated after finishing ahead of three South Island teams!

From 1985 to 1991 there were three divisions - first, second and third - run on a league system. Since 1992 there have again been divisions leading to a final in each division.

The first winners of the NPC First Division in 1976 were, surprisingly, Bay of Plenty. Two years later they won the second division. Between 1977 and 1984, Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington each won twice, while Counties and Manawatu won once each.

Auckland dominated the First Division between 1985 and 1991, winning it five times in the seven years. Wellington and Otago were the other winners. At the end of 1991 three first division teams were relegated to make the total teams in each division equal at nine.

Then, in 1992 when a final was played for the first time, Waikato walked away with the title. They thumped Otago 40-5. Then, in 1993, it was back to Auckland.

After several years without promotion to the First Division, Bay of Plenty were promoted in 2001 and kicked off their campaign with a surprise victory over Wellington, their first victory ever over Wellington, and in Wellington to boot!

The 27 provincial unions in New Zealand, all who select representative sides, are: (from north to south): Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Counties/Manukau, Thames Valley, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, King Country, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wanganui, Waiararapa Bush, Horowhenua/Kapiti, Wellington, Nelson Bays, Marlborough, Buller, West Coast, Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, North Otago, Otago and Southland.

Winners of the NPC First Division since 1976:
1976: Bay of Plenty
1977: Canterbury
1978: Wellington
1979: Counties
1980: Manawatu
1981: Wellington
1982: Auckland
1983: Canterbury
1984: Auckland
1985: Auckland
1986: Wellington
1987: Auckland
1988: Auckland
1989: Auckland
1990: Auckland
1991: Otago
1992: Waikato
1993: Auckland
1994: Auckland
1995: Auckland
1996: Auckland
1997: Canterbury
1998: Otago
1999: Auckland
2000: Wellington
2001: Canterbury