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Editorial: The NPC is still New Zealand's best sporting competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 13:50 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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The New Zealand Herald’s editorial “The NPC is still New Zealand’s best sporting competition” presents a robust defence of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) as the pinnacle of New Zealand rugby, arguing that its blend of tradition, talent development, and community engagement keeps it unrivalled by other competitions, even in an era dominated by professionalised leagues such as Super Rugby and the United States’ Major League Rugby.

A historical perspective

The piece opens by tracing the NPC’s roots back to the early 1960s, when provincial unions began organising a nationwide knockout tournament to crown the best team in the country. The editorial stresses that, unlike the corporate‑led Super Rugby franchise model that emerged in 1996, the NPC remains firmly tied to its provincial identities. “Each squad still carries its own flag, its own local supporters and a history that can stretch back over a century,” the author writes. The link to the NPC’s official history page (https://npc.co.nz/history) is cited to reinforce the idea that the competition has survived the shifts in the global rugby economy by staying true to its grassroots ethos.

Player development and pathway integrity

A key pillar of the argument is the NPC’s role as a feeder for the All Blacks and for Super Rugby franchises. The editorial points out that the NPC gives emerging talent a realistic chance to compete in high‑stakes matches at a level that bridges school‑level and professional play. The author lists several high‑profile All Blacks—such as Aaron Smith, Rieko Ioane, and Brodie Retallick—who all spent early years honing their skills in the NPC before moving to the national squad. The editorial links to the NPC’s player‑development page (https://npc.co.nz/development) to provide evidence that the competition’s coaching standards are recognised across the rugby hierarchy.

Economic sustainability and community impact

Contrary to the narrative that professionalisation always equates to higher quality, the editorial argues that the NPC’s economic model, largely based on regional sponsorship and match‑day revenue, keeps the competition financially viable while also fostering local economic activity. The author cites the 2023 season’s revenue report, noting that the total income from ticket sales, merchandise and local sponsorships exceeded $3 million—enough to support coaching, travel, and youth programs in each province. The piece links to the NPC’s annual financial report (https://npc.co.nz/finance) for readers who wish to examine the figures themselves.

Community engagement is highlighted as a secondary, yet equally important, success factor. “Fans in every corner of the country feel a personal stake in their provincial team,” the editorial explains. The NPC’s match‑day atmospheres are described as “electric” by comparison to the more commercialised Super Rugby crowds. Links to community outreach programmes—such as “Kids Kicking Up the Nip” (https://npc.co.nz/community) and the NPC’s partnership with the New Zealand Rugby Foundation—demonstrate how the competition supports local sports clubs, schools and charitable initiatives.

Comparative analysis with other competitions

The editorial does not shy away from acknowledging the allure of Super Rugby. It admits that the franchise system attracts higher‑profile internationals and offers more televised matches. However, it counters that such appeal comes at the cost of a diluted provincial identity. The NPC’s “no‑franchise” model is defended as preserving “the soul of New Zealand rugby.” In comparing fan attendance, the piece points to data that shows provincial games consistently draw 4,000‑5,000 spectators per match, a figure that rivals, and sometimes exceeds, the attendance of lower‑tier Super Rugby matches.

The author also touches on other sports—particularly cricket’s Plunket Shield and the National Cricket League—to argue that while each sport has its own successful competitions, the NPC’s integration of performance, community, and financial sustainability sets a benchmark. The editorial includes a short table summarising key metrics (attendance, revenue, player‑promotion rates) across the three competitions, underscoring the NPC’s leadership.

Future prospects and concluding remarks

Looking forward, the editorial discusses upcoming changes to the NPC’s format announced by the New Zealand Rugby Union. The proposed addition of a promotion/relegation system aims to increase competitiveness, while the planned expansion of the broadcast reach is expected to raise the competition’s national profile. The author stresses that any such reforms should not compromise the provincial allegiance that is the competition’s core.

In conclusion, the editorial posits that the NPC’s blend of tradition, player‑development focus, community integration, and financial prudence makes it “the heart of New Zealand rugby.” It calls on stakeholders—fans, unions, sponsors and the government—to protect and invest in the competition, arguing that doing so preserves not only a sporting event but also a vital cultural institution.

The article’s final paragraph is a succinct rallying cry: “The NPC is still New Zealand’s best sporting competition, and that is something we must all defend.”