Cricket - Plunket Shield

The domestic first-class championship of New Zealand began in 1906/07, with the donation of a shield by William Plunket, the then-Governor-General. Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago have been perpetual contestants. Until 1921-22 the title was decided by “challenge matches”. From 1921/22, the four established teams played each other in a single round-robin series. Central Districts entered the competition in 1950–51, and Northern Districts in 1956–57. In recent years a double-round-robin system has been established.
Points are awarded on the basis of 12 points for a match win, six for a tie, with batting and bowling points earned in the first innings. The team with the most points is declared the champions.