The Northland Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Northland, New Zealand; Northland is a region of New Zealand that covers areas in the districts of Far North, Kaipara, Whangārei, as well as Wellsford and Tomarata in Auckland Region. Established in 1920, they are represented by the Bunnings NPC side, Northland Taniwha, and Farah Palmer Cup side, Northland Kauri. The union was formerly known as North Auckland.
Northland is affiliated with the Blues Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are a sky blue (Pantone 284) and they play their home games at Semenoff Stadium in Morningside, Whangārei.
History Early years Rugby union was first played in Northland in late 1880, and the first union was set up in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union.
They played their first ever match as a union on 3 August 1920, in an 11-0 victory over South Island Country. However, they did not play their first inter-union match until 27 July 1922, an 8-6 loss to Auckland. Their first inter-union win came in August 1923, when they beat King Country
The province became known as the North Auckland Rugby Union following the amalgamation of Whangārei, Northern Wairoa, Bay of Islands, and Otamatea in 1920. In 1925, the union expanded to include Mangonui, Kaipara, Hokianga, Whangaroa, and Rodney. Auckland and North Auckland became regular rivals after a tightly fought game in 1922, which Auckland won 8-6.
North Auckland won the Ranfurly Shield on four occasions: 1950 when they defeated South Canterbury 1960 when they defeated Auckland 1971 when they defeated Auckland 1978 when they defeated Manawatu.
In the 1971 challenge Northland won 17-12 in a narrow match played in front of 47,000 people at Eden Park, Auckland. The following season 40,000 spectators packed Whangārei Okara Park to watch the rematch. With the city's population only 34,000, this showcased the significance of both the shield and the rivalry with Auckland. However they lost 15-16.
There was some controversy after the 12-10 victory over Manawatu in 1978. North Auckland kicked a winning penalty well after the 80 minute mark as the referee, Bill Adlam of Wanganui, allowed a large amount of stoppage time. The Union subsequently refused to put the shield on the line for its final home matches of the season against Southland and Otago. However, despite the ill-feeling of many in the rugby community, no rules were broken.
In 1994, North Auckland changed its name to the Northland Rugby Football Union.
Professional era Northland began their professional era playing in the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup competition. They are known as the Taniwha, a reference to the mascot adopted in the professional era. Along with Auckland and North Harbour, Northland is part of the Blues Super Rugby franchise.
Northland won the Ranfurly Shield in 2026 when they defeated Canterbury.
Club rugby There are currently 39 registered clubs incorporated and secondary schools affiliated with the Northland Rugby Union, most of which have teams at both senior and junior levels.
Awanui Rugby Football Club Dargaville High School Eastern United Rugby & Sports Club The Hora Hora Rugby Union Football Club Kaeo Rugby and Sports Club Kaihu Valley Rugby Football Club Kaikohe Rugby Football and Sports Club Kaitaia City Rugby Union Football Club Kaitaia College Kamo High School Kamo Rugby and Squash Club Kerikeri High School Kerikeri Rugby Union Football Club Mangakahia Rugby Club Mid-Northern Rugby Football Club Midwestern Rugby Union And Squash Club Moerewa Rugby Football and Recreation Sports Club Northland College Old Boys Marist Rugby & Sports Club Old Boys Rugby Football & Softball Club Onerahi Rugby Football Club Otamatea Hawks Rugby Club Rodney College Taiamai Ohaeawai Rugby Football and Sports Club Te Rarawa Rugby Club The Aupouri Rugby Football and Sports Club The City Rugby Union Football Club The Dargaville Rugby and Sports Club The Hikurangi Rugby Union Football Club The Okaihau Rugby Union Football and Sports Club The Otiria Rugby Union Football and Sports Club The Southern Football Club The Tomarata Rugby Football Club Tikipunga Rugby Club United Kawakawa Rugby Football Club Waipu Rugby Squash Club Wellsford Rugby Football Club Whangārei Boys' High School Whangaruru Rugby Football Club
Club champions
Joe Morgan Memorial Trophy
2026 - Mid Northern 43 - 24 Western SharksBurnes, Campbell. Rugby News magazine (August 2026). Charlotte Smulders Publisher, New Zealand. 2025 - Mid Northern 56 -12 Western Sharks 2024 - Kamo 26 - 20 Western Sharks 2023 - Mid Northern 26 - 12 Kamo 2022 - Mid Northern 53 - 19 Waipu
Provincial rugby
National Provincial Championship
The following is a summary of every season for the Northland Taniwha since 2006.
YearCaptainHead Coach PlayedWonDrawnLostPointsPositionFinals2006 David Holwell Mark Anscombe 9 3 1 5 14 10th overall 2007Justin Collins Mark Anscombe 10 3 1 6 19 10th overall 2008Justin Collins Mark Anscombe 10 4 0 6 22 9th overall 2009Jared Payne Bryce Woodward 13 3 1 9 16 13th overall 2010Jared Payne Bryce Woodward 13 5 0 8 29 10th overall 2011Jared Payne Adriaan Ferris 10 4 0 6 195th in Championship 2012Rene RangerAdriaan Ferris 10 3 0 7 17 5th in Championship 2013Rene RangerDerren Witcombe 10 2 1 7 136th in Championship 2014Cameron EyreDerren Witcombe 11 5 0 6 25 3rd in Championship Lost 21-26 to in semi final 2015Matt Moulds Richie Harris 10 0 0 10 1 7th in Championship 2016Matt Moulds Richie Harris 10 1 0 9 11 6th in Championship 2017Matt Moulds Derren Witcombe 11 5 0 6 25 4th in Championship Lost 21-49 to in semi final 2018Matt Moulds Derren Witcombe 11 4 0 7 24 4th in Championship Lost 26-48 to in semi final2019Jordan Olsen Derren Witcombe 10 2 0 8 11 6th in Championship 2020Jordan Olsen George Konia 12 6 0 6 24 3rd in Championship Beat 32-19 in semi final. Lost 24-36 to in final 2021Jordan Olsen George Konia 9 1 0 8 12 5th in Championship 2022Matt Moulds George Konia 10 6 0 4 274th in conferenceLost 16-23 to in quarter final2023Matt Matich & Rob Rush John Leslie 10 2 1 7 1712th overall 2024Matt Moulds Dale MacLeod 10 2 0 8 1513th overall 2025Matt Moulds Ryan Martin 10 5 1 4 259th overall
All Blacks
Northland has produced 32 All Blacks to date. Below is a list of Northland New Zealand national rugby union players along with their All Black number, year of debut, and number of All Black games.
#PlayerDebutCaps240Charles Fletcher19211305Innes Finlayson192536364Bill Heke19296367Alf Waterman19297461Johnny Smith19469482Peter Smith19473518Nau Cherrington19507541Ian Irvine19521556Peter Jones195337605Des Webb19591621Victor Yates19619655Sid Going196786681Bevan Holmes197031682Richie Guy19719700Hamish Macdonald197248723Murray Jones19735726Peter Sloane197316733Joe Morgan197422742Ken Going19743790Eddie Dunn197820800Mike Burgoyne19796822Fred Woodman198014829Wayne Neville19814835Ian Dunn198313844Alastair Robinson19834855Kawhena Woodman19846877Michael Speight19865902Ian Jones1989105930Glenn Taylor19926976Norm Berryman199811106Rene Ranger201061165Jack Goodhue201719
References
External links Official site Northland rugby (NZHistory.net.nz)