New Zealand National Football Leagues

The New Zealand National League is the name given to the current New Zealand top football competition. Originally set up as the New Zealand National Soccer League there has been many versions of the competition as well as many different names. The most common format saw club teams play each other, at least two times, on a home and away basis. At the completion of those games, the best-performing team was declared as the New Zealand champion. The latest version has the clubs play in their regional leagues with the top teams qualifying for the Championship phase to then play each other for the champion.

Leagues structures

The national competition has had many different formats:[1]: 6 [2]

Structure Format Participation Season Entry
Provincial Champions

1892-1968

 Provincial Club Winter Promotion/Relegation
Regional Leagues

1966 - 1969

 Regional Club Winter Promotion/Relegation
National Soccer League
1970–1992		NationalClubWinterPromotion/Relegation
Superclub League
1993–1995		Regional leading to National finalsSuper ClubWinterPromotion/Relegation
National Summer League
1996–1998		NationalClubSummerParticipation criteria
New Zealand Island Leagues
1999		North Island/South Island leagues
North Island v South Island play-off		ClubWinterParticipation criteria
National Soccer League
2000–2003		Regional leading to National finalsClubWinterPromotion/Relegation
New Zealand Football Championship
2004–2021		National with playoff seriesFranchiseSummerParticipation criteria
New Zealand National League
2021–		Regional leading to National finalsClubSummerParticipation criteria

1892–1968

Canterbury

1905 Christchurch Celtic 1906 Christchurch Club 1907 Burnham IS & Christchurch Celtic [shared] 1908 Christchurch Club 1909 Burnham IS 1910 Burnham IS
1911 Burnham IS 1912 Christchurch Nomads 1913 Sydenham Christchurch 1914 Sydenham Christchurch 1915 Christchurch Club 1916 Christchurch Rangers
1917 Linwood Christchurch 1918 Excelsior Christchurch 1919 Linwood Christchurch & Excelsior Christchurch [shared] 1920 Nomads Christchurch 1921 Corinthians 1922 Rangers
1923 Sunnyside 1924 Sunnyside 1925 Sunnyside 1926 Sunnyside 1927 Nomads 1928 Western
1929 Thistle 1930 Thistle 1931 Rangers & Nomads [shared] 1932 Thistle 1933 Thistle 1934 Thistle
1935 Western 1936 Western 1937 Technical OB & Western [shared] 1938 Nomads 1939 Western 1940 Western
1941 Western 1942 Western 1943 Western 1944 Thistle 1945 Western 1946 Western
1947 Western 1948 Western 1949 Technical OB 1950 Technical OB 1951 Technical OB 1952 Technical OB
1953 Western 1954 Western 1955 Western 1956 Western 1957 Western 1958 Western
1959 Western 1960 Western 1961 Technical OB 1962 Western 1963 Nomads 1964 Christchurch City
1965 Christchurch City 1966 Christchurch City 1967 Christchurch City

1965–1970

Northern League

1965 Eastern Suburbs

1966 Eastern Suburbs

1967 Ponsonby AFC (Auckland)

1968 Mount Wellington

1969 Mount Wellington

Central League

1966 Kiwi United (Western League)

1967 Eastern Union (Central Districts League)

1968 Western Suburbs

1969 Western Suburbs

Southern League

1968 Christchurch City

1969 Christchurch Technical

1970–1992

When the National Soccer League was launched in 1970, it became the first national league for any sport in New Zealand.[1]: 6  It involved clubs playing each other two times, on a home and away basis. Two points were awarded for a win, and one point was awarded for a draw. The club with the greatest number of points was declared the champion. The league was open and clubs could be relegated from it and promoted to it.

The National Soccer League continued until 1992 when the League was disbanded due to financial reasons.[2]: 39 

Season results
Year League size Matches per team Winner Relegated Promoted Notes
1970[3]814Blockhouse Bay-Mt Albert-Ponsonby, CavershamFirst season of the competition
1971[4]1018Eastern SuburbsWestern Suburbs FCNew BrightonHungaria joined with Miramar Rangers to form Wellington City, while Caversham, Maori Hill and Dunedin Technical joined to form Dunedin Suburbs
1972[5]1018Mt WellingtonAuckland CityWellington United DiamondsDunedin Technical and Maori Hill withdrew support of Dunedin Suburbs and left the position to Caversham, while Miramar Rangers withdrew support of Wellington City. Mt Albert-Ponsonby changed name to Auckland City
1973[6]1018Christchurch UnitedCavershamNorth Shore United
1974[7]1018Mt WellingtonWellington Diamond UnitedCaversham
1975[8]1018Christchurch UnitedWellington CityWellington Diamond United
1976[9]1018Wellington Diamond UnitedGisborne CityHamilton, Nelson United, Dunedin CityChristchurch United was known as Trans Tours United from 1976 to 1978
1977[10]1222North Shore UnitedNew Brighton, Dunedin City, CavershamCourier Rangers, Waterside, Woolston WMCLeague expanded to 12 teams and promotion and relegation changed to 3 up, 3 down with a team from each regional league
1978[11]1222Christchurch UnitedHamilton, Waterside, Woolston WMCManurewa, Manawatu United, Dunedin City
1979[12]1222Mt WellingtonManawatu United, Courier Rangers, Eastern SuburbsHamilton, Gisborne City, Rangers
1980[13]1222Mt WellingtonStop Out, Blockhouse Bay, Nelson UnitedTakapuna, Miramar Rangers, Woolston WMC
1981[14]1222Wellington Diamond UnitedTakapuna, Woolston WMC, RangersEast Coast Bays, Napier City Rovers, Invercargill Thistle
1982[15]1222Mt WellingtonHamilton, East Coast Bays, Invercargill ThistlePapatoetoe, Nelson United, Dunedin Technical
1983[16]1222ManurewaDunedin TechnicalAuckland UniversityNumber of points for a win changed from 2 to 3
1984[17]1222Gisborne City--Auckland University finished 12th but retained their place in the league following a four-way play-off win versus the regional league winners
1985[18]1222Wellington Diamond UnitedNapier City RoversManawatu UnitedWellington Diamond United merged with Wellington City and became Wellington City Diamond United - then shortened the name to Wellington United
1986[19]1222Mt Wellington-Mount Maunganui, Napier City Rovers, Hutt Valley UnitedDespite finishing 9th, Auckland University were dropped because their ground did not meet the required league standard.[2]: 10  Manurewa who had finished last, were not relegated
1987[20]1426Christchurch United-Waikato UnitedLeague expanded to 14 teams. Dunedin City who had finished 12th, withdrew due to financial reasons meaning Miramar Rangers weren't relegated
1988[21]1426Christchurch UnitedManawatu UnitedWaterside KaroriNelson United, who finished 13th, were dropped because their ground didn't meet the required league standards. They were replaced by Waitakere City. Manawatu United was still relegated and replaced by Waterside
1989[22]1426Napier City RoversPapatoetoeNew Plymouth Old Boys
1990[23]1426Waitakere CityWaterside KaroriNelson United
1991[24]1426Christchurch UnitedGisborne CityPapatoetoePapatoetoe only played off against Central league winners Wellington Olympic as Southern league winners Dunedin City opted out due to costs
1992[25]1426Waitakere City--League disbanded and replaced by the Superclub competition. Hutt Valley United disbanded and Lower Hutt City took their place in the new competition

1993–1995
Further information: Superclub competition

Following the dissolution of the league a new competition, called Superclub Championship, was launched to decide the top club in the country.[2]: 11  The top 10 clubs in each three regional groups (Northern, Central, Southern) would play each other home and away with $10,000 going to the team that finished first in their region, $7,000 for second and $5,000 for third. Then the country's top eight teams, being three teams from northern, and central regions, and two from the south, combine to play each other once. After that the top four teams then play each other once before culminating in a grand final between the top two from that round. For the team that finished first, they were paid $30,000, $15,000 went to the runner-up with $5,000 to third and fourth.[2]: 39 

The winners in those years were as follows:

Year Regional League sizes (N, C, S) Regional matches per team (N, C, S) National League size Matches per team Winners Runners-up
1993[26]10, 10, 1018, 18, 1887Napier City RoversWaitakere City
1994[27]10, 10, 1018, 18, 1887North Shore UnitedNapier City Rovers
1995[28]10, 11, 1018, 20, 1887Waitakere CityWaikato United

The increase in the number of teams participating for the championship, as well as lack of a true national league system, caused a strong drop in playing standards. It was clear that New Zealand not only needed a national league, but also one which was financially stable.[2]: 43 

1996–1998
Further information: National Summer Soccer League

In 1996 a National League was launched for the second time in the history of New Zealand soccer. This time however, the league was (mostly) played during the summer months and did not feature relegation and promotion. Teams were invited to participate and the selection criteria involved the financial strength of the club and its location. The league also featured a championship play-off session at the end of the seasons, involving teams finishing high in the table.

To further upset the traditionalists, penalties followed matches which ended in a draw. The winners of the penalty shoot-out were awarded two points, the losers one point while winners in the regular 90 minutes were awarded four points (although this system as dropped in the last year of the National Summer Soccer League). The winners in those years were:

Year League size Matches per team Winners Runners-up
19961018Waitakere CityMiramar Rangers
19971018Waitakere CityNapier City Rovers
19981120Napier City RoversCentral United

1999
Further information: 1999 New Zealand island soccer leagues

In 1999, the National Soccer League again took a break. The competition for determining the New Zealand champion was moved back to (mostly) winter months. Two leagues were created, the North Island Soccer League (NISL) and the South Island Soccer League (SISL). The winner of the NISL, Central United, defeated the winner of the SISL, Dunedin Technical, 3–1, in extra time, in the championship final.

2000–2003

The National Soccer League was launched for the third time in 2000 as the National Club Championship. Like the original in 1970, it was played during (mostly) winter months and a promotion and relegation system was used. In the first season, a bonus point was awarded for scoring four or more goals in one match but that system was dropped in subsequent seasons. The championship play-offs system at the end of the league was the major difference when compared with the competition launched in 1970.

Seven teams, participating in the first edition, came from the NISL (Central United, Waitakere City, Napier City Rovers, Mt Wellington, Miramar Rangers, Metro and Manawatu AFC) and three came from the SISL (Dunedin Technical, Nelson Suburbs, Woolston WMC).

Year League size Matches per team Winner Relegated Promoted Notes
20001018Napier City RoversNelson SuburbsTauranga City UnitedNelson Suburbs, who finished 7th, withdrew due to financial reasons. Metro, who finished 10th, retained their place following play-offs. Controversially, Tauranga City United, who finished third in the play-offs, were awarded Nelson's spot in the league, ahead of Caversham, who finished second.
20011018Central UnitedMetroNorth Shore United
20021018Miramar RangersWaitakere CityCaversham
20031018Miramar Rangers--

2004

2004 was the transition year between the National Soccer League and the New Zealand Football championship. Regional competitions were played but no New Zealand champion was determined.

2004–2021
Further information: New Zealand Football Championship

On 15 October 2004 the New Zealand Football Championship was launched (NZFC). It marked a turning point in the history of the game in New Zealand, as for the first time traditional clubs were not eligible to participate in the top league. They were replaced by eight franchise style entities.

2021–
Further information: New Zealand National League

In March 2021, New Zealand Football announced a change to the structure of both the premiership and the top regional leagues around the country. The four top regional leagues (NRFL Premier, Central Premier League, Mainland Premier League and the FootballSouth Premier League) would be formed into the Northern League, Central League, and the Southern League. These leagues would allow local clubs to qualify for the premiership season (now known as the National League Championship), with the top 4 teams from the Northern League, the top 3 teams from the Central League, and the top 2 teams from the Southern League making up the competition, alongside the Wellington Phoenix Reserve side. All teams that qualify plus the Phoenix Reserves, would then play a single round-robin competition between October and December. The top two placed teams will then progress to the Grand Final.[29]

Year League size Matches per team Winners Runners-up
2021[lower-alpha 1]65Miramar RangersWellington Olympic
2022109Auckland CityWellington Olympic
  1. Season was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. One off South Central series was played instead. Season does not count as official.[30][31][32]

Champions
Club Wins Winning years
Auckland City 9 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2022
University-Mount Wellington 6 1972, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986
Christchurch United 1973, 1975, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1991
Waitakere City† 5 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1996–97
Waitakere United† 2007–08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13
Napier City Rovers 4 1989, 1993, 1998, 2000
Miramar Rangers 3 2002, 2003, 2021
Team Wellington† 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
Wellington United 1976, 1981, 1985
North Shore United 2 1977, 1994
Central United 1999, 2001
Eastern Suburbs 1971, 2018–19
Blockhouse Bay# 1 1970
Manurewa AFC 1983
Gisborne City† 1984
  • †Disbanded teams
  • #Club has since merged into a new team

See also

References
  1. "New Zealand Football National Competitions Review". New Zealand Football. September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  2. Holloway, Bruce. The National League Debates. Hereford Publishing. ISBN 978-0-473-32931-0. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  3. "Football in New Zealand 1970". RSSSF.
  4. "Football in New Zealand 1971". RSSSF.
  5. "Football in New Zealand 1972". RSSSF.
  6. "Football in New Zealand 1973". RSSSF.
  7. "Football in New Zealand 1974". RSSSF.
  8. "Football in New Zealand 1975". RSSSF.
  9. "Football in New Zealand 1976". RSSSF.
  10. "Football in New Zealand 1977". RSSSF.
  11. "Football in New Zealand 1978". RSSSF.
  12. "Football in New Zealand 1979". RSSSF.
  13. "Football in New Zealand 1980". RSSSF.
  14. "Football in New Zealand 1981". RSSSF.
  15. "Football in New Zealand 1982". RSSSF.
  16. "Football in New Zealand 1983". RSSSF.
  17. "Football in New Zealand 1984". RSSSF.
  18. "Football in New Zealand 1985". RSSSF.
  19. "Football in New Zealand 1986". RSSSF.
  20. "Football in New Zealand 1987". RSSSF.
  21. "Football in New Zealand 1988". RSSSF.
  22. "Football in New Zealand 1989". RSSSF.
  23. "Football in New Zealand 1990". RSSSF.
  24. "Football in New Zealand 1991". RSSSF.
  25. "Football in New Zealand 1992". RSSSF.
  26. Ruane, Jeremy. "1993 Winfield Superclub Championship". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  27. Ruane, Jeremy. "1994 Winfield Superclub Championship". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  28. Ruane, Jeremy. "1995 Winfield Superclub Championship". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  29. "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  30. "National League Championship cancelled, new interregional competition announced and Chatham Cup moved to 2022". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  31. "NZ Football cancels National League championship; one-off inter-regional competition planned". Otago Daily Times.
  32. "National League Championships cancelled; one-off South Central Series scheduled". Stuff.
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