The National Provincial Championship (NPC) is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played in 1976, it is the second highest level of competition in New Zealand alongside the Ranfurly Shield. It is organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and since 2021, it has been known as the Bunnings NPC after Bunnings, its naming rights sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it became an affiliate to the International Rugby Football Board, now known as World Rugby, the governing body of rugby union for the world. It dropped the word "Football" from its name in 2006. The brand name New Zealand Rugby was adopted in 2013. Officially, it is an incorporated society with the name New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated.
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial competition. The union was to have been liquidated in March 2012. However a deal involving the Dunedin City Council allowed it to keep operating. Otago have won the Ranfurly Shield on seven occasions. They were the National provincial championship winners in 1991 and 1998. They have a proud record playing international teams, having defeated South Africa and the British and Irish Lions.
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, was an annual promotion and relegation rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 1976 season, it was the highest level of competition in New Zealand until Super Rugby launched in 1996. It was organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and ceased following the 2005 season.
Aki Seiuli is a New Zealand born rugby union player of Samoan heritage who currently plays as a prop for Dragons and the Samoan national side. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors; and the New Zealand sides Otago - in domestic Mitre 10 Cup - and the Highlanders - in the international Super Rugby competition.
Chase Tiatia is a rugby union player, who most recently played as a utility back for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Western Force in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but is eligible to represent Manu Samoa internationally due to his Samoan heritage.
Kemara Henare Hauiti-Parapara is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a halfback for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship.
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars in the Japan Rugby League One competition.
Ricky Daniel Jackson is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) and the Highlanders in Super Rugby. His playing position is hooker. He was named in the Highlanders squad for week 3 in 2019. In 2020 he was named as a full squad member but before the season started he suffered an ankle injury that ended his season.
George Gadai Bower is a New Zealand rugby union player. He began his rugby in Wellington playing for Avalon rugby club, following that he made his first ever representative team playing for Wellington U20s in 2011. His position is prop. He currently plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and Otago in the Bunnings NPC.
Henry Stowers is a New Zealand born, Samoan rugby union player who plays for the Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. His playing position is flanker. He is also a Samoan international.
Otago are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1881, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in the Otago region. The team is affiliated with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are navy blue and gold.
Sosefo Losino 'Apikotoa is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but represents Tonga internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Tongan descent.
Sean Withy is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is flanker.
Jonah Aoina in a Samoan rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). He has played for the Samoan national team. His playing position is prop.
Raymond Nu'u in a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is centre.
Joshua Arana Hill is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is lock.
Christian Javan Lio-Willie is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is loose forward.
Mike McKee is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Southland in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is lock. McKee is of Cook Islands descent.
Abraham Pole is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is prop.