New Zealand Indoor Bowls

New Zealand Indoor Bowls

Highest governing body	New Zealand Indoor Bowling Federation (NZIBF)
Nicknames	NZIB
First played	1908
Clubs	34 districts, 414 clubs
Characteristics
Contact	NZ Indoor Bowls Federation website
Mixed-sex	Yes
Type	Bowling
Equipment	Bowl and jack

New Zealand indoor bowls (NZIB) is a form of indoor bowls that developed in New Zealand and is governed by the New Zealand Indoor Bowling Federation (NZIBF). It is only played competitively within New Zealand, although there is a regular international trans-Tasman fixture using mixed rules. The sport's popularity in New Zealand peaked in the 1960s, though it remains highly competitive across the country.

History

1908–1948: Inception, early growth and standardisation

Indoor bowls was introduced to New Zealand in 1908 by Aucklander John Jenkins. ^[1] Jenkins had seen the game played at the Franco-British Exhibition on a trip to London and been impressed, and brought a set of bowls with him on his return to New Zealand. ^[2] Jenkins introduced the sport to other members of the Hope of Auckland Rechabite Tent, where fellow member Brother Skinner had been similarly enthused witnessing the sport in Melbourne in 1910. ^[3] The first competitive match in New Zealand was played by the Rechabite Tent on 15 March 1912, ^[3] and in 1915 the Tent formed the Independent Order of Rechabites Indoor Bowling Association, the first such organisation in New Zealand. ^[4] The sport gained popularity quickly, spreading among other friendly societies in Auckland who set up their own indoor bowling associations, including the Foresters Friendly Society in 1917, the United Ancient Order of Druids in 1918, the Oddfellows in 1924 and the Orange Lodge in 1927. ^[4]

By 1925, the sport had grown in popularity such that there was demand for consistency among bowls. Early bowls were made of hard woods such as mānuka or pūriri, and were 2¼ or 2½ inches in diameter. In 1925 an English firm named Taylor Rolph began producing four inch lignum vitae bowls in sets of 16 exclusively for the New Zealand market, which gained widespread popularity due to their consistent draw. Though early games had been played on a 12 ft green baize mat, this was deemed unsuitable following the ascendancy of the Taylor Rolph bowls. W. Miller, manager of the Onehunga Woollen Mills, was approached to design a mat suited to the needs of the game, and created a special carpet with a nap imitating outdoor greens which became standard use. The proportions of this mat, 22 ft by 6 ft, remain in use. ^{[2] [3]}

Following the standardisation of playing equipment, in the late 1920s and 1930s New Zealand indoor bowls began to spread beyond friendly societies through business houses, returned servicemen's associations, churches, band halls and social clubs. Commercial organisations also adopted the sport as a form of staff recreation. In this period women became involved, as the sport had previously been restricted to men's-only groups such as fraternal lodges. The first district associations also began to form in this period. By 1938 there were about 150 indoor bowling clubs, with an estimated 10,000 indoor bowlers in the Auckland area. The sport spread beyond Auckland across New Zealand, principally through friendly societies. ^{[2] [3] [4]} Indoor bowls was popular during the Second World War as a cheap past-time available to all ages and genders, and the Auckland Indoor Bowls Centre was established in 1942. ^[3] The sport experienced a rapid rise in popularity following the war, precipitating the establishment of a national federation. ^[2]

1948–present: Federation, peak and waning popularity

In light of the sport's rapid national growth, Wellingtonian George Welch began making efforts to establish a national body in 1948, with the assistance of the Physical Welfare Department. On 18 September 1948, Welch convened a meeting in the Wellington Harbour Board Social Club rooms with representatives present from the indoor bowls organisations of Auckland, Hāwera, Whanganui, Palmerston North, the Hutt Valley and Wellington. The New Zealand Indoor Bowls Federation (NZIBF) was formed with Welch as secretary and fellow Wellingtonian Cliff Wearne as president. ^[2] Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Horowhenua, Hutt Valley, Palmerston North, Central Taranaki, South Taranaki, Wanganui and Wellington were founding member districts of the federation in 1948, with a total of 1,854 registered members. ^{[2] [4]} They were joined by Waikato and Taranaki North in 1949. The large Auckland Association did not join until 1954, which brought the federation to 21 member districts and over 21,000 individual members. ^{[2] [3]}

The NZIBF's first actions were to establish standardised rules of play, which were written up as the Laws of the Game to be revised and reissued every five years. ^{[2] [5]} Rules in the first edition included a fault for spilling pipe tobacco on the mat, and a requirement for spectators to show neutrality. ^[3] The NZIBF also standardised the jack to be 2 inches in diameter in 1950. ^[2] During the 1950s, bowls manufactured by Australian brand Henselite were first used in New Zealand; this brand is now the only one used by New Zealand indoor bowls players. ^[3]

In June 1950, the first National Championships were held in Wellington, with 120 entries in the singles, 75 teams in the pairs, and 45 in the fours. ^[6] The competition has been held annually since, being expanded to include a triples competition in 1993. Junior and Master competitions for younger and older players have also been introduced. ^{[4] [6] [7]} Despite being an indoor sport, the 1972 national fours final in Invercargill was interrupted by bad weather, as hail was falling through the roof and onto the mat. ^{[1] [8]}

Participation in New Zealand indoor bowls increased significantly through the 1940s and 1950s. In 1963, NZIBF reached a peak of 73,100 members affiliated across 35 district associations, covering the entire country. ^[2] More than 12,000 of these members were from Auckland alone. ^[3] The National Championships reached peak attendance in 1977, with 3,050 singles entries, 1,700 pairs teams and 835 fours teams. ^[6] However, memberships in districts such as Southland peaked in the mid 1960s and had begun to decline by 1967, ^[8] and NZIBF membership had declined to 50,300 by 1984. ^[2] Participation has seen gradual decline in subsequent decades due to a number of factors, including competition with other sports and activities, the adoption of the seven day working week, and the perception of being a pursuit for older people. ^{[1] [3]}

Modern game, administration and wider involvement

New Zealand Indoor Bowls Federation is currently made up of 34 centres and 414 clubs covering all of New Zealand. The NZIBF is managed by an executive committee made up of nine members, elected by vote. The NZIBF includes five associate members: New Zealand Blind and Visually Impaired Indoor Bowls Federation, Clubs New Zealand, Deaf Indoor Bowls New Zealand, New Zealand Special Olympics Foundation, and New Zealand Catholic Indoor Bowls Federation. ^{[9] [9]}

Disabled people have played a prominent role in New Zealand indoor bowls. Deaf, blind and visually impaired, and paraplegic people have contributed significantly to the administration and competition of the sport. ^{[1] [3] [9]} Indoor bowls is one of six sports contested in the New Zealand Deaf Games. ^[1] Stewart 'Sen' Smith, a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, president of the Auckland Deaf Society and founding member of the New Zealand Deaf Society, was a highly influential and successful New Zealand indoor bowls player, winning several deaf and open titles and playing a key role in administration. ^{[3] [10]} In 2019 the NZIBF executive resolved to allow artificial bowling devices to be used, and in 2021 the Laws of the Game were revised to reflect this. ^{[5] [11]}

The New Zealand Catholic Indoor Bowls Federation was founded in 1955, and holds an annual national tournament. Cardinal Thomas Williams was a patron of the federation. ^[12]

In 1975, the first international fixture took place between Australia and New Zealand for the Henselite Trophy, played in Auckland using New Zealand indoor bowls rules. From 1975-1979 the trans-Tasman fixture was contested four times, with the venue and ruleset alternating between the two countries. In each case, the trophy was won by the host country whose domestic ruleset was being used. In 1983, the fixture resumed biennially with the introduction of The International Laws of the Game, which compromise between the two countries' rulesets. As of 2024 there have been 25 editions of the fixture, with New Zealand winning the Henselite Trophy 18 times and Australia 5 times, accompanied by two ties. ^[13] The New Zealand indoor bowls national team are called the Mat Blacks. ^[14]

Gameplay

See also: Bowls § Game

A player kneeling and using the pincer grip. This photo was taken during the semifinal of the fours at the 2007 nationals.

The equipment, technique and gameplay of New Zealand indoor bowls share many similarities with indoor bowls played internationally. The exact requirements for equipment, play and competition are specified in the Laws of the Game. ^[5]

Three main stances are used by players of NZIB: ^[15]

• Kneeling on one knee
• Kneeling on two knees
• Crouching

A game is made up of a series of ends. The winner of the game is the team with the most points when all ends are played or when a predetermined time limit is reached. Depending on the rules of play as dictated by the organisers of the competition, if a draw results, the game can be settled with a deciding end or the game can be recorded as a tie. ^{[5] [15]}

Equipment

See also: Glossary of bowls terms

Three pieces of equipment are required for a game of NZIB, with exact specifications for these prescribed in the Laws of the Game: ^[5]

• A mat, approximately 6.7 m long and 1.8 m wide.
• A white spherical jack.
• A set of 16 bowls, with eight each in two contrasting colours, with a draw of at least 840 mm over a run of 5.50 m.

International competition

International competition only takes place biennially between New Zealand and Australia on a home and away basis. Each country has different rules and conditions, so to even the playing field the match is played on special mats which are longer and thicker than the ones commonly used in New Zealand, but shorter than those used in Australia. The match is also played under a different set of rules due to the variations between the two countries. Each team comprises the top 7 men and 7 women from each country. They combine to play in men's and women's singles, men's and women's pairs, mixed 8 bowl pairs, mixed 6 bowl pairs, men's and women's triples, men's and women's fours and mixed fours. Games consist of 3 sets of various ends. Each team that wins their set wins the Australasian Medal with the overall scores being combined to decide the winner of the Henselite Trophy. In the event of a tie, the Trophy is retained by the defending champion. ^[13]

Henselite Trophy winners ^[13]

Year	Champion	Host city
1975	New Zealand	Auckland, NZ
1976	Australia	Newcastle, AUS
1978	New Zealand	Wellington, NZ
1979	Australia	Adelaide, AUS
1983	New Zealand	Christchurch, NZ
1985	New Zealand	Ballarat, AUS
1987	New Zealand	Porirua, NZ
1989	New Zealand	Adelaide, AUS
1991	Australia	Christchurch, NZ
1993	New Zealand	Runaway Bay, AUS
1995	New Zealand	Rotorua, NZ
1997	New Zealand	Devonport, AUS
1999	New Zealand	Napier, NZ
2001	New Zealand	Sydney, AUS
2003	New Zealand	Balclutha, NZ
2005	New Zealand	Colac, AUS
2007	Tie (retained by New Zealand)	Pukekohe, NZ
2009	Australia	Broken Hill, AUS
2011	Tie (retained by Australia)	Balclutha, NZ
2013	New Zealand	Morayfield, AUS
2015	New Zealand	Tauranga, NZ
2017	New Zealand	Sydney, AUS
2019	New Zealand	Invercargill, NZ
2022	New Zealand	Ballarat, AUS
2024	Australia	Pukekohe, NZ

Australia currently holds the Henselite Trophy. The overall record is 18–5 in New Zealand's favour, with two tied fixtures.

New Zealand national competitions

Inter-district competitions

NZIBF oversees multiple competitions between teams representing its constituent districts. The premier inter-district title is the Welch Trophy, which has been contested since 1952. It was first introduced as a challenge-based system with the defending champion having to accept a certain number of challenges each year. In 1964 the system was revised as the Paterson Trophies were introduced, with one challenge-based Paterson Trophy in each of the North Island and South Island. At the end of the year, the holders of each trophy would compete for the Welch Trophy. The system gradually evolved, with the number of areas competing for a local Paterson Trophy increasing and the format shifting from challenges to round-robin. From 1989–2022, six zonal Paterson Trophy winners would compete for the Welch Trophy each year. Since 2023, districts are placed into divisions based on their previous year's results and the top division competes for the Welch Trophy, with other divisions competing for Paterson Trophies. ^{[3] [16]}

Welch Trophy Winners ^[16]

Year	Winning Center
1952–1955	Wellington
1955–1956	Horowhenua
1956–1958	Waikato
1958	Horowhenua
1958	Ruapehu
1958–1959	Hutt Valley
1959	Wellington
1959–1962	Waikato
1962–1963	Northland
1963	Auckland
1964	Auckland
1965	Horowhenua
1966	Bay of Plenty
1967	Canterbury
1968	Canterbury
1969	Bay of Plenty
1970	Otago
1971	Waikato
1972	Canterbury
1973	Canterbury
1974	Canterbury
1975	Auckland
1976	Canterbury
1977	Canterbury
1978	Upper Hutt Valley
1979	Upper Hutt Valley
1980	North Taranaki
1981	Canterbury
1982	Auckland
1983	Waikato
1984	North Taranaki
1985	Canterbury
1986	Auckland
1987	Waikato
1988	Waikato
1989	Waikato
1990	Otago
1991	Waikato
1992	Auckland
1993	Waikato
1994	Waikato
1995	Waikato
1996	Manawatu
1997	Waikato
1998	Manawatu
1999	Otago
2000	Manawatu
2001	Otago
2002	Manawatu
2003	Otago
2004	Manawatu
2005	Upper Hutt Valley
2006	Waikato
2007	Auckland
2008	Canterbury
2009	Canterbury
2010	Canterbury
2011	Canterbury
2012	North Taranaki
2013	North Taranaki
2014	North Wellington
2015	North Taranaki
2016	North Taranaki
2017	Auckland
2018	Manawatu
2019	Auckland
2020–2021	No competition held
2022	Waikato
2023	Waikato
2024	Waikato

Winners before 1964 held the trophy as long as they could defend it from challengers, whereas winners from 1964 onward were the victor of an annual competition of varying formats. Since 1964 Waikato has been the most successful district, winning the Welch Trophy 14 times, followed closely by Canterbury with 13 victories.

NZIB National Championships

NZIBF organises the NZIB National Championships each year. Competition takes place in open, junior and masters categories, across singles, pairs, triples and fours events. ^{[4] [6]}

National Open Championship Winners

Year	Singles [17]		Pairs [18]		Triples [7]		Fours [19]
	Name	Centre	Name	Centre	Name	Centre	Name	Centre
1950	H Hubbard	Wellington	F G Gooch, J Walsh	Wellington			K R Smith, A H Childs, E D Stevens, R G P Caldwell	Wellington
1951	J McGuiness	Wellington	R E Craig, J M McPadden	Wellington			E J D MacDonald, A E Curry, G McDonald, C H G Ward	Wellington
1952	C E Minifie	Waikato	W Edwards, R Learmonth	Waikato			E J D MacDonald, A E Curry, G McDonald, C H G Ward	Wellington
1953	O Jordan	Taranaki	W Wearne, F Haines	Waikato			L J Hills, T Odlum, W Reed, Mrs W Reed	Taranaki
1954	G McDonald	Hutt Valley	E G F Smith, F F Smith	Canterbury			E J D MacDonald, G McDonald, H W Robins, C A Clark	Hutt Valley
1955	C W Hancock	Manawatu	E Pilgrim, Mrs E Petersen	Horowhenua			H T Keys, D G Sinclair, M T Dempsey, A A Smith	Hutt Valley
1956	J Pirrett Jnr	Auckland	A H Thomas, G F Bain	Wellington			S D Dick, E Death, C Claridge, H Waswo	Taranaki
1957	A H Thomas	Wellington	R Fridd, Mrs S Fridd	Canterbury			C E Minifie, F Haines, R Haines, G Labrum	Waikato
1958	R J A Pinhey	Hutt Valley	L Dunn, Mrs N Buckley	Canterbury			A H Thomas, G F Bain, E E Cooper, H R Howard	Wellington
1959	W Wells	Wellington	R Loader, P Webby	Waikato			J Cantwell, W Preston, Mrs A Scott, Mrs J Cantwell	Hawkes Bay
1960	J W Woods	Wellington	R Bethwaite, E R Trask	Wellington			J Ewing, E Reader, D J Keast, K Howan	Wellington
1961	G A Keith	Mid Canterbury	E G F Smith, M Lunt	Canterbury			E Blackmore, M Harvey, E E Boyd, Mrs L Harvey	Southland
1962	T Burr	Waikato	R Loader, N Hull	Waikato			S.E.N. Smith, P Cearns, L Taylor, Mrs K Smith	Auckland
1963	B McLennan	Waikato	Mrs C J Thompson, C J Thompson	Waikato			C King, J King, W Vette, Mrs P King	Waikato
1964	L Bellis	Greymouth	W Cuttance, D Cook	Canterbury			P Nee, D R Fleming, W Trembath, Mrs R Nee	Canterbury
1965	R McK Bethwaite	Wellington	W Marshall, D Wells	Auckland			G Brensell, R Willers, Mrs N Brensell, Mrs R Willers	Horowhenua
1966	S Johnstone	Southland	A Williamson, R J Watkin	Canterbury			S.E.N. Smith, B Pridham, F Bell, Mrs K Smith	Auckland
1967	J C Michie	Hutt Valley	W Oliver, R Schou	Bay of Plenty			L Dunn, Mrs M Serra, Mrs C Walker, Miss B Bowsie	Auckland
1968	R Cumberland	Waikato	G Oliver, Mrs J Oliver	Waikato			M Sullivan, B Guy, Ola Sullivan, R Cumberland	Waikato
1969	G N Taylor	Canterbury	R Roser, Mrs V Roser	Horowhenua			S.E.N. Smith, B Pridham, F Bell, Mrs K Smith	Auckland
1970	C Taylor	Auckland	E Hills, O McGehan	Auckland			K Andrew, B Pinkney, L Conn, Mrs D Pinkney	Waikato
1971	K Darling	Otago	A Rasmussen, B Wood	Auckland			S.E.N. Smith, B Pridham, F Bell, Mrs K Smith	Auckland
1972	K Boothby	Taranaki	N Le Lievre, J Campion	Southland			J McGlory, W Norman, H Williams, G Jobson	Otago
1973	G Dunlop	Bay of Plenty	J Pringle, G Groves	Auckland			A Rasmussen, B Wood, Mrs S Bishop, Mrs M Lehmann	Auckland
1974	T Wright	Waikato	A Weston, E Hubbert	Auckland			J Eccles, R Eccles, B Hamilton, G Johnson	Waikato
1975	B O Stewart	Auckland	J Hook, Mrs J Hook	Auckland			D R Stagg, Mrs J Tucker, R Tucker, K Christensen	Hawkes Bay
1976	G Barnes	Canterbury	F Sayer, Mrs F Sayer	Manawatu			D Schollum, F Hale, A Hutchins, J Campion	Poverty Bay-East Coast
1977	R Fleming	Auckland	K Mulcahy, Mrs K Mulcahy	Waikato			N Gray, C Turnbull, L Pointon, R Fenneman	Bay of Plenty
1978	R Dockary	North Wellington	C Ireland, D Mace	Waikato			G Persico, D Wadsworth, R Buonocore, W Ferguson	Nelson
1979	R J Frelan	Waikato	P Troy, T Wright	Waikato			M Bryant, E Taylor, Mrs S Middlemiss, Mrs V Shaw	Waikato
1980	R Fleming	Auckland	G Pedersen, K Boothby	Waikato			R Fleming, P Bowden, J Street, Mrs D Double	Auckland
1981	K Coombe	Waikato	G Pedersen, K Boothby	Waikato			J Barr, Ivon Pash, Merle Pash, G Pash	North Shore
1982	B Kinnaird	Manukau	M Berkeley, Mrs P Dunbar	Canterbury			R Fleming, T O'Connor, I Wheeler, D Fleming	Manukau
1983	R Eccles	Waikato	A Hutchins, R Smith	Poverty Bay-East Coast			R Just, C Just, Mrs K Just, K Goodgame	Wanganui
1984	K Coombe	Waikato	K Whitehead, K Torrey	North Shore			R Duncan, M Johnston, R Inglis, R Inglis	Golden Bay-Motueka
1985	W Kane	Southland	K Gash, P Psaila	Auckland			D Hewitt, M McGeady, Mrs C Hewitt, Mrs M McGeady	Upper Hutt Valley
1986	R Eccles	Bay of Plenty	K Waghorn, J Smyth	Manawatu			N Warnes, P Hoult, R Verdonk, M Gibbs	Nelson
1987	J Taare	Bay of Plenty	D Gilshnan, J Meyer	Manawatu			J Bullen, P Crotty, M Hewitt, R Leitch	Upper Hutt Valley
1988	I Wheeler	Auckland	M Bryant, J Hearn	Waikato			L Bellis, G Lawson, A Curtain, Mrs J Bellis	Canterbury
1989	G Lawson	Canterbury	C Taylor, P Psaila	Auckland			P Bowden, O Griffiths, B Kinnaird, S.E.N. Smith	Manukau
1990	D Quirke	North Wellington	K Whitehead, K Torrey	North Shore			M Rowlands, J Priest, Mrs G Rowlands, S Marsters	North Taranaki
1991	M James	Waikato	W Baker, D Baker	Waikato			K Anngow, M Berkeley, D Elmey, Mrs S Elmey	Canterbury
1992	B Rainsford	Auckland	K Childs, R Wyatt	Auckland			B Kinnaird, G Baxter, R Baxter, K Wright	Auckland
1993	G Lawson	Roskill and Districts	D Gilshnan, S Gilshnan	Manawatu	K Whitehead, K Torrey, B Torrey	North Shore	P Berkeley, M Berkeley, T King, J Russ	Canterbury
1994	P Hoult	Upper Hutt Valley	G Flewitt, R Webster	Otago	R Inglis, S Inglis, R Inglis	Golden Bay-Motueka	J Zittersteijn, S Masters, G L'Ami, S Gopperth	North Taranaki
1995	B Spicer	Canterbury	G Lawson, K Coombe	Wanganui	M Bryant, M Kidd, G Rayner	Waikato	G Pedersen, K Boothby, K Trass, S Olsen	Waikato
1996	V Littlejohn	Waikato	M Bryant, B McLeod	Waikato	B McNae, N Bartosh, D Peck	Waikato	C Taylor, K Smith, P Psaila, J Hunt	Auckland
1997	P Jamieson	Hutt Valley	D Bowman, H Bowman	Poverty Bay-East Coast	D Bowman, F McKenna, H Bowman	Poverty Bay-East Coast	P Hoult, N Semple, A Barr, L Hoult	Waikato
1998	S Flaszynski	North Taranaki	G Harvey, S Meyer	Manawatu	C Dow, G Coughey, K Setter	Tauranga	G L'Ami, J Zittersteijn, M Dempsey, M Phipp	North Taranaki
1999	K Coombe	Wanganui	T Moyle, J Boyd	Auckland	G L'Ami, M Dempsey, M Phipps	North Taranaki	C Pinker, W Pinker, S Patterson, M Neilson	Wanganui
2000	N Semple	Upper Hutt Valley	I Barr, R Jones	Upper Hutt Valley	D Wadsworth, R Inglis, R Inglis	Golden Bay-Motueka	N Warnes, F Persico, H Warnes, G Persico	Nelson
2001	J Frelan	Waikato	A Littlejohn, G Bell	Waikato	B Biggar, M Sackfield, J Southee	Manawatu	J Zittersteijn, M Ridley, P Upson, D Connett	North Taranaki
2002	B Meyer	Manawatu	G L'Ami, M Phipps	Otago	B Spicer, D Gilshnan, G McIvor	Manawatu	G L'Ami, T Gould, M Phipps, D Gallagher	Otago
2003	B Meyer	Manawatu	D Christini, L Christini	Northland	L Hazelton, D Hazelton, E Eccles	Tauranga	N Warnes, R Verdonk, H Warnes, K Moffat	Nelson
2004	S Thomas	Canterbury	S Poppleton, D Bell	Waikato	S Thomas, R Griffiths, J Thomas	Canterbury	G Taiaroa, L Bates, G Thompson, B Kinnaird	Auckland
2005	R Griffiths	Canterbury	P Hoult, N Semple	Upper Hutt Valley	B Matthews, A Jeffs, K Matthews	Canterbury	G Harvey, G Rayner, L Jenner, P Psaila	Auckland
2006	R Griffiths	Canterbury	G Rayner, P Psaila	North Wellington	R Griffiths, M Lawson, S Keith	Ashburton	D Lang, L McCurdy, G Lang, R McCurdy	North Wellington
2007	G McIvor	Manawatu	J Zittersteijn, M Ridley	North Taranaki	B Spicer, D Gilshnan, S Gilshnan	Canterbury	M Keen, G Fortune, A Diamond, B Keen	Southland
2008	C Matthews	Canterbury	T Veale, T Anderson	North Wellington	S Burnand, S Burnand, A Boyd	Waikato	N Warnes, F Persico, H Warnes, G Persico	Nelson
2009	S Burnand	Ashburton	B Spicer, R Osborne	Canterbury	F Persico, H Warnes, C Moffitt	Nelson	J Zino, R Corry, D Clarkson, J Zino	Hutt Valley
2010	K Setter	Tauranga	G Rayner, P Psaila	North Wellington	G Rayner, P Psaila, T Anderson	Auckland	J Moore, R Lochrie, T Griffin, D Moore	Manawatu
2011	P Midgley	Taranaki	A Diamond, M Keen	Southland	G Low, G Low, J Low	Southland	G L'Ami, P Midgely, M Phipps, L Phipps	Taranaki
2012	J Zino	Hutt Valley	S Fisher, P Cohen	Auckland	G L'Ami, M Phipps, L Phipps	Tauranga	D Archer, M Pruden, J Archer, C Archer	Waikato
2013	G L'Ami	Tauranga	T Gould, L Gould	Upper Hutt Valley	P Midgley, G Harvey, S Holmes	North Taranaki	J Zittersteijn, M Ridley, S Ridley, G Owen	North Taranaki
2014	A Diamond	Canterbury	G L'Ami, M Phipps	Tauranga	G Rayner, P Psaila, T Anderson	Auckland	J Zittersteijn, M Ridley, S Ridley, G Owen	North Taranaki
2015	A Compton	North Wellington	G L'Ami, M Phipps	Tauranga	G Rayner, P Psaila, T Anderson	Auckland	G L'Ami, P Midgely, M Phipps, L Phipps	Tauranga
2016	A Diamond	Upper Hutt Valley	G L'Ami, M Phipps	Tauranga	P Smith, G Coughey, K Setter	Tauranga	L Bellis, K Arvidson, R Bellis, D Warren	Nelson
2017	W Baker	Tauranga	P Wright, R Caddy	Waikato	N Warnes, G Persico, R Verdonk	Golden Bay-Motueka	A Diamond, P Wright, R Caddy, S Holmes	Waikato
2018	G Low	Southland	S Jacombs, M Jacombs	Hutt Valley	S Thomas, M Lawson, D French	Ashburton	G L'Ami, P Smith, M Phipps, L Phipps	Tauranga
2019	T Veale	Manawatu	G L'Ami, M Phipps	Tauranga	G L'Ami, M Phipps, L Phipps	Tauranga	M Ellis, J Parker, A McQuoid, D Ellis	Counties
2020	Not played	–	Not played	–	Not played	–	Not played	–
2021	S Blackbourn	Waikato	A Wilson, L Morrow	North Taranaki	G Low, G Low, J Low	Southland	S Blackbourn, J Sullivan, J Markham, E Ludeman	Canterbury
2022	M Trlin	Hutt Valley	A Reed, C Williams	Waikato	D Archer, C Andrew, J Archer	Waikato	S Jacombs, G Morgan, K Burnley, M Crighton	Hutt Valley
2023	R Mills	Auckland	N Trowell, M Trowell	Poverty Bay-East Coast	J Zittersteijn, G Harvey, P Midgley	North Taranaki	N Trowell, M Foster, D Foster, M Trowell	Poverty Bay-East Coast
2024	M Bassett	Ashburton	S Thomas, M Lawson	Ashburton	J Zino, S Jacombs, M Jacombs	Hutt Valley	J Zino, J Keene, S Jacombs, M Jacombs	Hutt Valley

Career honours

NZIB players can achieve a Gold Star, the pinnacle individual achievement in the sport, by winning five national titles. ^[1] As of 2024, 10 players have achieved this feat. One player has achieved the feat twice over, and one three times over. ^[20]

National Championship Gold Star recipients ^[20]

Gold Stars	Name	First title	Most recent Gold Star earned
3	Grant L'Ami	1994	2019
2	Mike Phipps	1998	2016
1	Stewart 'Sen' Smith	1962	1989
1	Paul Psaila	1985	2006
1	Grant Rayner	1995	2010
1	John Zittersteijn	1994	2013
1	Nigel Warnes	1986	2017
1	Ashley Diamond	2007	2017
1	Lorraine Phipps	2011	2019
1	Paul Midgley	2011	2023

See also

• New Zealand portal
• Sports portal

• New Zealand National Bowls Championships
• Bowls New Zealand

References

1. Knight, Lindsay (5 September 2013). "Bowls, pétanque and tenpin – Indoor bowls". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
2. Motion, Reg (March 1984). "A Short History of the New Zealand Indoor Bowls Federation (Inc.)" (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
3. Wheeler, Ian; Wheeler, Marilyn (October 2002). "A History of the Auckland Indoor Bowls Centre" (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
4. McLintock, Alexander Hare (1966). "Bowls, indoor". In McLintock, A. H. (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand . Retrieved 4 June 2025– via Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
5. Laws of the Game (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls (Inc.). 2021.
6. NZIBF. "The History of the New Zealand National Championships" (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
7. "NZ Championship – Open Triples". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
8. Low, Graham (August 2002). "Biased Heritage - 50 years of Indoor Bowls in Southland" (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
9. "About NZIB". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
10. "Stewart 'Sen' Smith (Coronation Medal)". SignDNA. Deaf National Archive. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
11. "2021 Changes to Laws of the Game" (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
12. Chapman, Barry. "60 Years of the New Zealand Catholic Indoor Bowls Federation". New Zealand Catholic Indoor Bowls Federation. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
13. "Trans-Tasman Internationals". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
14. NZIB Publicity (1 May 2024). "Mat Blacks Set to Face Australia in 25th Trans-Tasman Test". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
15. Whitton, Graeme (February 2002). The Basics of Indoor Bowls (PDF). New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
16. "Paterson and Welch Trophies". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
17. "NZ Championship – Open Singles". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
18. "NZ Championship – Open Pairs". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
19. "NZ Championship – Open Fours". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
20. "NZ Championship – Gold Stars". New Zealand Indoor Bowls Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2025.

External links

• Official website
• Laws of the Game