The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 2006 season, 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 its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
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.
Tavake Lecanus Liukanasi Manu is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for Mitre 10 Cup side, Otago. Manu also represents Tonga at international level.
Gareth Evans is a retired New Zealand rugby union player, who played as a loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Daniel Lienert-Brown is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loosehead prop for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.
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.
Alexander Nigel Ainley is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
James Anthony Richard Lentjes is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently for Otago the Bunnings NPC. His position is Flanker.
Jackson Nikora Hemopo is a New Zealand All Black and rugby union player who played as a lock or loose forward for Manawatu in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.
Caleb Makene is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as an outside back or fly-half for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and Utah Warriors in the Major League Rugby (MLR).
Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker for New Zealand franchise Chiefs. In his youth career, he played basketball and was selected in the 2012 FIBA Oceania Under 19 Championships for Fiji.
Ethan J. Blackadder is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition. His position of choice is flanker. He is the son of former All Blacks player Todd Blackadder.
Jack Regan is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and the Mitre 10 Cup side Otago Rugby. He previously played for Irish Pro14 team Ulster Rugby. He plays as a lock.
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.