NPC in history

The great competition involving New Zealand's provinces has been the Ranfurly Shield, donated in 1901 by Lord Ranfurly as a challenge trophy. It has remained that, the result depending on a one-off match which favours the holders. But the NPC may well have replaced it in importance.

In 1975 a committee of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was set up to organise representative rugby into a provincial championship.

The National Provincial Championship started quietly in 1976. It was divided into three divisions - a first division and second division (north) and a second division (south).  The teams were divided into divisions on the basis of their performances during the Seventies. The first division had eleven teams. This division of teams persisted till 1984 with promotion and relegation in operation.

From 1985 to 1991 there were three division - 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 Division 1 were, surprisingly, Bay of Plenty. Two years later they won the second division. Between 1976 and 1984, Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington each won twice, while Counties and Manawatu won once each.

Between 1985 and 1991 Auckland dominated, winning five times in the seven years. Wellington and Otago were the other winners.

Waikato were the first winners of a final, thumping Otago 40-5. Then 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.

In 2004 the Steamers, as Bay of Plenty are called, reached the semi-final in which they were well beaten by Canterbury.

Winners of the NPC

Division 1

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

Finals:

1992: Waikato beat Otago, 40-5
1993: Auckland beat Otago 27-18
1994: Auckland beat North Harbour 22-16
1995: Auckland beat Otago 23-19
1996: Auckland beat Counties Manukau 46-15
1997: Canterbury beat Counties Manukau 44-13
1998: Otago beat Waikato 49-20
1999: Auckland beat Wellington 24-18
2000: Wellington beat Canterbury 34-29
2001: Canterbury beat Otago 30-19
2002: Auckland beat Waikato 40-28
2003: Auckland beat Wellington 41-29