This is the list of the main first-class rugby union teams in New Zealand, including national teams, Super Rugby teams, National Provincial Championship teams, and Heartland Championship teams. The list does not include women's teams, local club or school teams, inactive teams, such as the North and South Island teams, or non-geographic representative teams, such as the New Zealand Universities, Marist, or Barbarians sides.
National representative teams
editSuper Rugby teams
editNorth Island unions
editSouth Island unions
editTeam | Formed | Division | Changes |
---|---|---|---|
Buller | 1894 | Heartland Championship | |
Canterbury | 1879 | National Provincial Championship | |
Mid Canterbury | 1904 | Heartland Championship | Formerly Asburton County 1927-1952 |
Golden Bay-Motueka | 1920-1967 | merged with Nelson in 1967 | |
Marlborough | 1888-2005 | ||
Nelson | 1885-1967 | merged with Golden Bay-Motueka in 1967 | |
Nelson Bays | 1968-2005 | Merger of Golden Bay-Motueka and Nelson | |
North Otago | 1904 | Heartland Championship | |
Otago | 1881 | National Provincial Championship | |
South Canterbury | 1888 | Heartland Championship | |
Southland | 1887 | National Provincial Championship | |
Tasman | 2006 | National Provincial Championship | Merger of Marlborough and Nelson Bays |
West Coast | 1890 | Heartland Championship |