National Basketball League (New Zealand)

Premier basketball league in New Zealand

For other organisations with a similar name, see National Basketball League (disambiguation) and NBL (disambiguation).

New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL)Current season, competition or edition:
2025 New Zealand NBL season

Sport| Basketball
Founded| 1981
First season| 1982
General manager| Maree Taylor
No. of teams| 11
Countries| New Zealand
Continent| FIBA Oceania (Oceania)
Most recent
champion(s)| Canterbury Rams (6th title)
Most titles| Wellington Saints (12 titles)
Broadcaster(s)| Sky Sport
Level on pyramid| 1
Official website| NZNBL.Basketball

The New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) is a men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.

## History

[edit]

The 1980s ushered in a period of exceptional growth and popularity for basketball in New Zealand. Late in 1981, six men's teams – a mixture of club and provincial representative sides – went out alone and created an inaugural national league. It was enough of a success to come under the control of the New Zealand Basketball Federation the following year, when it grew in size and secured a naming sponsor. An allowance of two imported players (invariably Americans with college basketball experience) per team, and the fact that games were played in the evening indoors, helped turn the league into a new family entertainment option. Spectators filled gymnasiums and media coverage reached unprecedented levels.[1] The early 1990s held dwindling fortunes for New Zealand basketball and many teams in the NZNBL, with reduced TV coverage, sponsorships, and crowd numbers.[2] With the success of the Tall Blacks at the 2002 FIBA World Championship and the introduction of the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL in 2003, basketball in New Zealand rose in popularity again.[1]

The number of teams each season has constantly changed since the league's inception, with many promotions and relegations between the first division and second division during the 1980s and 1990s, as well as many withdrawals due to financial reasons. The league began with 8 teams in 1982, then peaked at 13 teams in 1995, before dropping to a low of 7 in 2016. In 2019, the Southern Huskies from Tasmania became the first ever Australian team to join a New Zealand competition. The league returned to 7 teams in 2020 following a revised small-scale format due to the coronavirus pandemic.[3] In 2022, the league was hailed for reaching competitive balance after years of unbalanced competition, with evenly spread talent and resources across the ten teams.[4]

In July 2024, it was revealed that the New Zealand NBL were looking at an expansion team from the Indian National Basketball League.[5][6][7] On 30 October 2024, it was announced that the Indian Panthers would join the league in 2025.[8] Turmoil quickly engulfed the Panthers and on 22 May 2025, they withdraw from the league mid-season.[9][10]

## Current teams

[edit]

See also: List of current New Zealand NBL team rosters

Team  | City  | Region  | Arena  | Capacity  | Colours  | Debut  | Head coach

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Auckland Tuatara | Auckland | Auckland Region | Eventfinda Stadium | 4,179  |     | 2019  |  Cameron Gliddon
Canterbury Rams | Christchurch | Canterbury | Cowles Stadium | 2,300[11] |     | 1982  |  Quinn Clinton
Franklin Bulls | Pukekohe | Auckland Region | Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre | 1,100  |     | 2020  |  Sebastian Gleim
Hawke's Bay Hawks | Napier | Hawke's Bay | Pettigrew Green Arena | 2,500  |       | 1983  |  Sam Gruggen
Manawatu Jets | Palmerston North | Manawatū-Whanganui | Central Energy Trust Arena | 2,000  |       | 1982  |  Tony Webster
Nelson Giants | Nelson | Nelson | Trafalgar Centre | 2,460  |     | 1982  |  Michael Fitchett
Otago Nuggets | Dunedin | Otago | Edgar Centre | 2,880  |       | 1990  |  Mike Kelly
Southland Sharks | Invercargill | Southland | Stadium Southland | 4,019  |       | 2010  |  Jonathan Yim
Taranaki Airs | New Plymouth | Taranaki | TSB Stadium | 4,560  |     | 1985  |  Sam Mackinnon
Tauranga Whai | Tauranga | Bay of Plenty | Mercury Baypark |  |       | 2024  |  Matt Lacey
Wellington Saints | Wellington | Wellington Region | TSB Bank Arena | 4,002  |     | 1983  |  Aaron Young

Auckland Tuatara

Franklin Bulls

Tauranga Whai

Manawatu Jets

Taranaki Airs

Wellington Saints

Nelson Giants

Canterbury Rams

Hawke's Bay Hawks

Otago Nuggets

Southland Sharks

class=notpageimage|

Location of teams within New Zealand

### Expansion teams

[edit]

Team  | City  | Region  | Arena  | Capacity  | Colours  | Debut  | Head coach

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Queenstown Yeti[12][13] | Queenstown | Otago | TBD  |  | TBD  | TBD  | TBD

## Former and defunct teams

[edit]

* Auckland Pirates (2011–2012)[14]
* Auckland Stars (1982–2009)
* Centrals (1982–1985)
* Christchurch Cougars (2009–2010)
* Harbour Heat (1986–2010, 2012)
* Hutt Valley Lakers (1990–1996)
* Indian Panthers (2025)
* Northland Suns (1995–1998)
* Ponsonby (1984–1988)
* Porirua (1982–1983)
* Super City Rangers (1990–1995, 2013–2019)
* Waikato Pistons (1982, 1984–2011, 2013–2014)[15][16]
* Waitemata Dolphins (1982–1983, 1988–1989)

## League eligibility rules

[edit]

There are two categories of players in the NZNBL:

* Non-Restricted Player – players eligible to play for New Zealand in FIBA competitions
* Restricted Player – a player who is not eligible to play for New Zealand[17][18]

## Broadcasting details

[edit]

In 2016 and 2017, the NZNBL began to more freely livestream and broadcast their games.[19][20] In 2020, the league had all 75 games broadcast by Sky Sport, marking the first time in the league's four-decade history that every game would be made available to viewers across the nation.[21] That same year, the league secured a deal to broadcast live in the United States through ESPN.[22]

In 2022, the NZNBL and Sky Sport signed a five-year commercial deal estimated to be worth $7.5 million for the teams.[23]

## Honours

[edit]

### List of champions

[edit]

Main article: List of New Zealand NBL champions

Team  | Title(s)  | Runners-up  | Total  | Year(s) won  | Year(s) lost

|
|
|
|
|

Wellington Saints | 12 | 8 | 20 | 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 | 1983, 1986, 1991, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018
Auckland Stars | 9 | 4 | 13 | 1982, 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 | 1984, 1985, 1989, 2006
Canterbury Rams | 6 | 4 | 10 | 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2023, 2024 | 1987, 1993, 1994, 1999
Waikato Pistons | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009 | 2003, 2010
Nelson Giants | 3 | 8 | 11 | 1994, 1998, 2007 | 1990, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2013
Southland Sharks | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2013, 2015, 2018 | 2017
Hutt Valley Lakers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1991, 1993 |
Otago Nuggets | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2020, 2022 |
Hawke's Bay Hawks | 1 | 7 | 8 | 2006 | 1995, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2019, 2021
Auckland Pirates | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2012 |
Auckland Tuatara | 0 | 3 | 3 |  | 2022, 2023, 2024
Harbour Heat | 0 | 2 | 2 |  | 1988, 1998
Manawatu Jets | 0 | 2 | 2 |  | 1992, 2020
Waitemata Dolphins | 0 | 1 | 1 |  | 1982
Super City Rangers | 0 | 1 | 1 |  | 2016

### Awards

[edit]

Main article: List of National Basketball League (New Zealand) awards

Current

* Most Valuable Player
* Finals MVP
* Most Outstanding Guard
* Most Outstanding NZ Guard
* Most Outstanding Forward
* Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre
* Scoring Champion
* Rebounding Champion
* Assist Champion
* Most Improved Player
* Defensive Player of the Year
* Youth Player of the Year
* Coach of the Year
* All-Star Five
* Best Team Free Throws

Past

* NZ Most Valuable Player

## See also

[edit]

* Conference Basketball League
* List of National Basketball League (New Zealand) awards
* National Basketball League (Australia)
* New Zealand men's national basketball team
* Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Saker, John (5 September 2013). "Basketball". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
2. ^ "Locations – Exodus Saints". Wotzon.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013.
3. ^ "AUCKLAND TO HOST 2020 SAL'S NBL, TIPPING OFF 23 JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
4. ^ Nelson, Justin (3 August 2022). "Taranaki Airs shake up the NBL as they head to playoffs". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
5. ^ "BREAKING NEW GROUND: INDIAN NBL SEEKS ENTRY INTO NBL AND TAUIHI LEAGUES". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
6. ^ Egan, Brendon (19 July 2024). "NBL, Tauihi basketball leagues set to feature Indian backed teams from 2025". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
7. ^ "Indian-backed teams to join NZ basketball leagues in 2025". 1news.co.nz. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
8. ^ "Indian Panthers Join NBL & Tauihi – Kiwi Basketball Set To Soar In India". nznbl.basketball. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024.
9. ^ Frank, Casey (22 May 2025). "Indian Panthers Withdraw From National Basketball League". NZNBL. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
10. ^ Hinton, Marc (22 May 2025). "Indian Panthers withdraw from New Zealand NBL, unable to meet conditions to continue". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
11. ^ Cowles Stadium – Christchurch City Council
12. ^ "QUEENSTOWN SET TO JOIN SAL'S NBL IN 2024". nznbl.basketball. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022.
13. ^ "WHAI NAME MATT LACEY HEAD COACH FOR INAUGURAL SEASON". nznbl.basketball. 20 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. "The Queenstown Yeti were initially tapped to join the league in 2024 as a 12th franchise, but that entry for has been delayed for at least two years while awaiting developments on upgrades required for the franchise's planned home venue."
14. ^ Pirates out of 2013 NBL
15. ^ Waikato Pistons out of 2012 national league
16. ^ Waikato Pistons pull out of NBL competition
17. ^ NZ NBL AGREE TO THE RETURN OF MANAWATU JETS IN 2018
18. ^ NZ NBL MEDIA STATEMENT: THE RULING OF JOSHUA DUINKER’S ELIGIBILITY AND PLAYING STATUS IN THE NZ NBL
19. ^ THE NEW ZEALAND NBL TO BE BROADCAST LIVE AND FREE ON NZHERALD.CO.NZ
20. ^ Basketball: NZ Herald to live stream NZ NBL in 2017
21. ^ SKY TO BROADCAST EVERY SAL'S NBL GAME IN 2020
22. ^ "NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League". NZNBL. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
23. ^ New Zealand's soaring National Basketball League proving ratings hit for partners

## External links

[edit]

* New Zealand NBL official website
* New Zealand NBL 2003 to 2006
* NZBL website 2001
* NZBL archive 2000/01
* New Zealand NBL career points leaders (as of 2009)
* Basketball New Zealand Results Archive
* TUPU League
* Rapid League

* v
* t
* e

National Basketball League (New Zealand)

Current teams|

* Auckland Tuatara
* Canterbury Rams
* Franklin Bulls
* Hawke's Bay Hawks
* Manawatu Jets
* Nelson Giants
* Otago Nuggets
* Southland Sharks
* Taranaki Airs
* Tauranga Whai
* Wellington Saints

Former teams|

* Auckland Pirates
* Auckland Stars
* Centrals
* Christchurch Cougars
* Harbour Heat
* Hutt Valley Lakers
* Indian Panthers
* Northland Suns
* Ponsonby
* Porirua
* Super City Rangers
* Waikato Pistons
* Waitemata Dolphins

Associated|

* Conference Basketball League

Other|

* Awards
* Champions
* Players
* Current rosters

Related|

* Australian National Basketball League
* New Zealand men's national basketball team
* Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

* v
* t
* e

New Zealand NBL seasons

* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Basketball in New Zealand

National teams|

* Men's (Tall Blacks)
* M U-19
* B U-17
* Women's (Tall Ferns)
* W U-18
* G U-17

Competitions|

* National Basketball League (New Zealand)
* Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
* Conference Basketball League

* v
* t
* e

International men's basketball

* FIBA
* National teams
* Olympics
* World Cup
* World University Games
* U-21 World Cup (defunct)
* U-19 World Cup
* U-17 World Cup
* DBB U-18 Invitational
* TBF U-16 Invitational
* World Ranking

Africa|

* FIBA Africa – AfroBasket
* U-18
* U-16
* AfroCan
* African Games
* Basketball Africa League (BAL)

Americas|

* FIBA Americas – FIBA AmeriCup
* U-18
* U-16
* CBC Championship
* Centrobasket
* U-17
* U-15
* COCABA Championship
* Marchand Cup
* Pan American Games
* South American Championship
* U-17
* U-15
* Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA)

Asia|

* FIBA Asia – FIBA Asia Cup (includes Oceania)
* U-18
* U-16
* Asian Games
* FIBA Asia Challenge
* Basketball Champions League Asia
* Stanković Cup
* East Asian Championship
* East Asian Games (defunct)
* East Asia Super League (EASL)
* SABA Championship
* SEABA Championship
* South Asian Games
* Southeast Asian Games
* West Asian Championship
* West Asian Games
* William Jones Cup
* ASEAN Basketball League (defunct)

Europe|

* FIBA Europe – EuroBasket
* U-20
* U-18
* U-16
* Acropolis Tournament
* Adecco Cup
* Belgrade Trophy
* FIBA European Championship for Small Countries
* Games of the Small States of Europe
* World Cup (Turkey)
* Basketball Champions League (BCL)

Oceania|

* FIBA Oceania – FIBA Oceania Championship (defunct)
* U-20 (defunct)
* U-17
* U-15
* Pacific Games

Other
tournaments|

* FIBA Intercontinental Cup
* Arab Basketball Championship
* Arab Games
* Commonwealth Games
* Diamond Ball
* FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
* Lusophone Games
* Mediterranean Games

* Basketball portal

* v
* t
* e

Men's basketball leagues

* FIBA
* FIBA Intercontinental Cup
* NBA vs. international teams
* NBA vs. EuroLeague
* NBA vs. NBL Australia

Africa|

* Algeria
* Angola
* 2nd
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Central African Republic
* Comoros
* Egypt
* Guinea
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Nigeria
* 2nd
* Rwanda
* 2nd
* Senegal
* 2nd
* Seychelles
* South Africa
* BNL
* National
* Tanzania
* Tunisia
* 2nd
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Americas|

* Argentina
* 2nd
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* 2nd
* Canada
* NBA G League
* BSL
* CEBL
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic (Torneo Superior de Baloncesto)
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Mexico
* CIBACOPA
* NBA G League
* Nicaragua
* Panama
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Puerto Rico
* United States
* ABA
* NBA G League
* TBL
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Asia|

* Bahrain
* China
* NBL
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Kuwait
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* Qatar
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* Singapore
* South Korea
* Syria
* Taiwan
* P. League+
* TPBL
* SBL
* Thailand
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* Vietnam

Europe|

* Albania
* 2nd
* Austria
* 2nd
* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* 2nd – RS
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* 2nd
* Cyprus
* North
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* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* 2nd
* France
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Georgia
* Germany
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Great Britain
* England
* Scotland
* Greece
* 2nd
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
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* 2nd
* 3rd
* Italy
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Kosovo
* 2nd
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Luxembourg
* Moldova
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* 2nd
* Portugal
* 2nd
* Romania
* Russia
* 2nd
* Serbia
* 2nd
* 3rd
* 4th
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Sweden
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Switzerland
* 2nd
* Turkey
* 2nd
* 3rd
* Ukraine
* 2nd

Oceania|

* Australia
* New Zealand

International
tournaments|

| Africa|

* Basketball Africa League
* Arab Club Basketball Championship
* East Africa Basketball Championship Cup

|

Americas|

* FIBA Champions League Americas
* FIBA South American League

Asia|

* Basketball Champions League Asia
* East Asia Super League
* West Asia Super League
* Arab Club Basketball Championship
* AsiaBasket

Europe|

* EuroLeague
* EuroCup
* FIBA Champions League
* FIBA Europe Cup
* Adriatic League
* 2nd
* Alpe Adria Cup
* Balkan League
* Caucasus Basketball League
* European North Basketball League
* Latvian–Estonian Basketball League
* Liga Unike
* VTB United League

Defunct
tournaments|

| Africa|

* FIBA Africa Basketball League

|

Americas|

* FIBA Americas League
* Pan American Championship
* South American Championship
* Torneo InterLigas
* Argentina
* Brazil
* Chile
* Canada
* NBLC
* United States
* ABA
* CBA
* USBL
* Uruguay

Asia|

* ABA Club Championship
* ASEAN League
* WABA Champions Cup
* Japan
* bj league
* NBL
* NBDL
* JBL
* Taiwan
* Chinese Basketball Alliance
* T1 League

Europe|

* SuproLeague
* Saporta Cup
* Korać Cup
* EuroChallenge
* EuroCup Challenge
* Baltic League
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* Latin Cup
* North European League
* Czechoslovakia
* England
* Russia
* Serbia and Montenegro
* 2nd
* Spain
* Soviet Union
* Turkey
* Yugoslavia
* 2nd

* Category

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