Central Districts Cricket Association

Since 1910, this historic trophy has been the most treasured prize in New Zealand provincial cricket.

Each summer after New Year, four Challenge matches take place seuquentially across New Zealand. The seasonal winners of Zone 1 (upper North Island), Zone 2 (lower North Island), Zone 3 (upper South Island) and Zone 4 (lower South Island) each earn a tilt against the current holder of the Hawke Cup.

Our CD South Island District Associations Nelson and Marlborough compete in Zone 3 regional qualifying, and our six North Island Districts vie for the Furlong Cup - the winner gets the Zone 2 challenge (unless they are already the holder, in which case the second placed team is the Zone 2 Challenger.)

Challenges are three-day matches at the holder's home ground. The Hawke Cup can be won outright, or on the first innings in a draw.

The current holder is TARANAKI

2026 CHALLENGE MATCHES:

30 January to 1 February 2026

TARANAKI drew with HAWKE'S BAY

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

SCORES

• 13 to 15 February 2026

Zone 1 Challenge

TARANAKI lost to BAY OF PLENTY on the first innings

SCORES

• 27 February to 1 March 2026

Zone 3 Challenge

BAY OF PLENTY v CANTERBURY COUNTRY

Thereafter, venue depends on who is the holder

• 13 to 15 March 2026

Zone 4 Challenge v TBC

Recent History...

• HAWKE'S BAY has been CD's most successful Hawke Cup District overall in recent years, locking away the prized trophy for the 2021, 2022 and 2024 winters

• The team lost its grip on the trophy in late 2022 when a pandemic-rescheduled match against challenger Canterbury Country was finally played in November that year

• When Hawke's Bay earned a second crack in the same summer - against the same holder, that match was also postponed, due to Cyclone Gabrielle's impact on the Hawke's Bay cricket community

• When that second match was finally played half a year later in November 2023, a stunning six-wicket bag from spinner JAYDEN LENNOX helped return the treasured silverware to Hawke's Bay who won handsomely on the first innings

• The latest Hawke's Bay tenure ended in dramatic fashion. A first innings declaration at lunch on the first day backfired when challenger Taranaki scrapped for a first innings lead - relieving Hawke's Bay of the silverware over three hard-fought days

• TARANAKI held on to the Hawke Cup for the remainder of the 2024/25 summer, seeing off Challenges from Hamilton, Canterbury Country and South Canterbury at Pukekura Park to lock away the silverware for the 2025 winter

• Taranaki then hosted the first Challenge in January 2026, a rematch with the winner of CD's Furlong Cup competition Hawke's Bay who walked away empty-handed after a high-scoring draw at Pukekura Park. Taranaki's tenure ended a fortnight later after Bay of Plenty won on the first innings at Pukekura Park.

NZC OFFICIAL HAWKE CUP HOMEPAGE & HISTORY

HAWKE CUP

Challenge Matches 2024/25

Zone 2 Challenge Match

31 January-2 February 2025

Holder Hawke's Bay lost on the first innings to Zone 2 Furlong Cup champion Taranaki

At Nelson Park, Napier

MATCH REPORT

Zone 1 Challenge Match

14-16 February 2025

Holder Taranaki beat Zone 1 Challenger Hamilton on the first innings

At Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

MACH REPORT

Zone 3 Challenge Match

7-9 March 2025

Holder Taranaki defeated Zone 3 Qualifier Canterbury Country on the first innings (by 5 runs!)

At Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

MATCH REPORT

Zone 4 Challenge Match

21-23 March 2025

Holder Taranaki defeated Zone 4 Qualifier South Canterbury by an innings and 102 runs

At Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

SCORECARD

Entry to Hawke Cup Challenge matches is free, with three-day matches always beginning on a Friday

PREVIOUS SEASON - 2023/24 CHALLENGES

The 'normal' Hawke Cup Challenge season began 26 January 2024 when Hawke's Bay hosted 2024 Furlong Cup qualifier Manawatū (who had earned the right to be the first Challenger after finishing runner-up to Hawke's Bay in the Zone 2 Furlong Cup)

Hawke's Bay defended the Cup against Manawatū and, a fortnight later, Zone 1 Challenger Counties Manukau. Then came Canterbury Country who had won the right to challenge on behalf of Zone 3 again this summer

Hawke's Bay saw them off too, and locked up the trophy at Nelson Park after an outright against Zone 4 Challenger South Canterbury in the final contest of the Hawke Cup summer

•

24-26 February 2023 rescheduled to 10-12 NOVEMBER 2023

Hawke Cup Holder Canterbury Country drew with Zone 2 Challenger Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay uplifted the Hawke Cup on the first innings

Match report

26-28 January 2024

Hawke Cup Holder Hawke's Bay drew with Zone 2 Challenger Manawatū

Hawke's Bay defended the Hawke Cup on the first innings

Match report

9-11 February 2024

Hawke Cup Holder Hawke's Bay drew with Zone 1 Challenger Counties Manukau

Hawke's Bay defended the Hawke Cup on the first innings