2006 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2006 Bartercard Cup was the seventh season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. This season saw substantial change for the Cup as the number of clubs was reduced for the 2006 season from 12 to 10. The New Zealand Rugby League also decided to move towards a franchise model. As a result, there was a large number of clubs affected and all Auckland franchises were reviewed. The major changes were; the Harbour League replaced the Hibiscus Coast Raiders and the North Harbour Tigers, the Waitakere Rangers replaced the Glenora Bears to represent all of Waitakere City, the Auckland Lions replaced the Mt Albert Lions and the Marist Richmond Brothers, the Tamaki Leopards replaced the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards and the Eastern Tornadoes and the Northern Storm were formed, to represent Northland. In addition the Wellington Franchise adopted the nickname the Orcas in support of the Southern Orcas National Rugby League bid.

One game a week was shifted to a Monday night and played live on Māori Television.[8]

• Northland, who finished last, were coached by Geoff Morton and ran two training squads each week; one based in Whangarei and one based in Auckland.[9] The Storm's first win was 40–22 against Wellington and was dedicated to co-founder, Anthony Murray who had died earlier that week.[10]
• Harbour were coached by Ken McIntosh and included Shaun Metcalf, Shaun Ata, Jeremiah Pai and Artie Shead.[11]
• Waitakere were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Cliff Beverley, Lee Tamatoa, Gavin Bailey, Matt Rua, Karl Guttenbeil, Scott Jones and Boycie Nelson.[11][12][13]
• Auckland were coached by Brian McClennan and included Misi Taulapapa, Malo Solomona, Shannon Stowers, Malo Solomona, Anthony Swann, David Fisiiahi, Miguel Start, Daniel O'Regan, Fabian Soutar, Steve Buckingham, Sala Fa'alogo, Wayne McDade and Julian O'Neill.[11][12][13][14][15]
• Tamaki were coached by Dean Clark and included Paul Atkins, George Tuakura, Constantine Mika, Leeson Ah Mau and Cooper Vuna.[11]
• Counties Manukau were coached by Gary Kemble and included Kimi Uasi, Sonny Fai, Willie Wolfgramm and Marvin Filipo.[11]
• The Waicoa Bay Stallions included Sam Rapira, Isaac John and Lance Hohaia.[12][16]
• Central were coached by David Lomax and included Ricky Thorby and Russell Packer.[11] The Falcons played a game in New Plymouth, the first Bartercard Cup match in the region since the Taranaki Wildcats were excluded from the competition at the end of the 2003 season.[17]
• Wellington were coached by Paul Bergman and included Mose Masoe, Ben Matulino, Alehana Mara and Meli Koliavu.[18]
• Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included Shane Beyers, Richard Villasanti, Lusi Sione, Joseph Pombo and Corey Lawrie.[11][13][19]

The playoff system used was the McIntyre final five system. This meant that:

• Canterbury and Waitakere (being second and third respectively) got a double-chance, as did the Auckland Lions (minor premiers) and the other team that got to play in the Qualification Semi-final (Canterbury).
• The Auckland Lions, being the minor premiers, did't have to play until the Qualification Semi-final.
• Basically, the higher you were on the table, the easier your road to the grand final was.

Auckland won the National First Division championship.[3] They were coached by Sam Panapa and defeated Wellington 32–14 in the final at Wise Park. Canterbury and Waikato also competed. The squads were limited to players that had played less than three Bartercard Cup matches that season.

The Mount Albert Lions won the Fox Memorial trophy, the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership) and the Roope Rooster. The Lions defeated the Papakura Sea Eagles, 49–6, in the final.[3] Mangere East Hawks won the Stormont Shield.

The Manurewa Marlins won the Sharman Cup (Division Two) while Hibiscus Coast won the Phelan Shield (Division Three).

Richie Blackmore coached Otahuhu.[3]

Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Turangawaewae defeated the Pikiao Warriors in the Waicoa Bay championship.

The Paikea Whalers defeated EITSA 42-18 to win the Eastern Alliance championship.[20]