The Northern Districts cricket team is a men's cricket team that represents the northern half of New Zealand's North Island (excluding Auckland). It is one of six major first-class cricket teams governed by New Zealand Cricket. The team competes in the Plunket Shield first-class competition, the Ford Trophy one-day competition, and the Men's Super Smash T20 competition. The T20 team is known as the Northern Brave (previously Northern Knights until the 2021–22 season.
Northern Districts were the last of New Zealand's six major teams to gain first-class status, joining the Plunket Shield in the 1956–57 season. The association comprises six constituent districts: Northland Cricket Association, Counties Manukau Cricket Association, Waikato Valley Cricket, Hamilton Cricket Association, Bay of Plenty Cricket, and Poverty Bay Cricket Association.
Contents
Honours
Plunket Shield (9)
1962–63, 1979–80, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999–00, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2024–25.
The Ford Trophy (7)
1979–80, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10.
Men's Super Smash (4)
2013–14, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2025–26
Grounds
Seddon Park, Hamilton (primary home ground)
Bay Oval, Blake Park Mount Maunganui
Cobham Oval, Whangārei
Harry Barker Reserve, Gisborne
Owen Delany Park, Taupō