List of association football clubs in New Zealand

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Association football, also known as football and previously known as soccer, is a popular recreational sport in New Zealand. The sport is administered in New Zealand by the governing body New Zealand Football (NZF). This is a list of association football clubs that play in the top leagues in New Zealand and Australia.

Administration[edit]

New Zealand is divided up into six regional federations that help in the administration and promotion of the sport in New Zealand:

A-League[edit]

Team Location Home ground
Wellington Phoenix Wellington Sky Stadium

The Wellington Phoenix is managed under New Zealand Football itself rather than one of the federations. The only professional football club in New Zealand,[1][2][3] the Wellington Phoenix play in the Australian A-League.[4][5]

New Zealand National League[edit]

The New Zealand National League is the top men's football league in the New Zealand league system. Founded in 2021, the New Zealand National League is the successor to the New Zealand Football Championship. The league will be contested by ten teams, with teams qualifying from their regional leagues. Four teams will qualify from the Northern League, three qualify from the Central League, two qualify from the newly formed Southern League and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves are given an automatic spot each year.[6][7][8]

The regional leagues runs from March through to September, with varying number of games in each region. The Championship phase runs after the completion of the regional leagues with each team playing each other once, followed by a grand final. Each season, two clubs gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region.

Regional competition[edit]

Premier winter club competitions is divided into three regional leagues:

  • The Northern League, consisting of teams from Federations One (Northland, Auckland) and Two (Waikato/Bay of Plenty)
  • The Central League, consisting of teams from Federations Three (Central North Island) and Four (Greater Wellington)
  • The Southern League, consisting of teams from Federation Five and Federation Six
  • The Capital Football W-League, is a Women's Football league consisting of teams from Federations Four (Central North Island) and Five (Greater Wellington)

Alphabetically[edit]

The divisions are correct for the 2024 season and the levels are stated as per the New Zealand football league system.

Key[edit]

Key to divisional change
New Club
Club was promoted to a higher Level
Club was transferred between divisions at the same Level
Club resigned or was demoted to a lower Level
Club was relegated to a lower Level


A[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
AFC Bohemian Celtic Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN Celtics
Al-Huda Otago Division 2 5 Promoted from Otago Division 3
Albany United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Reds
Auckland City Northern League 2 Navy Blues
Auckland United Northern League 2

B[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Balclutha Southland Division 2 5 Promoted from Otago Division 1
Banks Peninsula Mainland Division 9 13
Bay Cosmos Northland Division 4 9
Bay Olympic Northern League 2 Olympic
Beachlands Maraetai NRFL Northern Conference 4 Beachlands
Blenheim Valley Sports Marlborough Division 1 5 Valley
Birkenhead United Northern League 2 Birko
Brooklyn Northern United Capital 1 4 BNU
Bream Bay United Northland Division 1 6
Bucklands Beach NRFL Northern Conference 4 Bucklands
Burnham Mainland Division 6 10 Relegated from Mainland Division 11
Burwood Mainland Premier League 3

C[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Cambridge NRFL Southern Conference 4 Reds
Carterton Wairarapa 1 8
Cashmere Technical Southern League 2
Castlecliff Whanganui Championship 6 New Club
Central Marlborough Division 1 5
Central Brown Northland Division 2 7 Promoted from Northland Division 4
Central United NRF League One 5 Central Relegated from NRFL Northern Conference
Christchurch United Southern League 2 Rams
Claudelands Rovers NRFL Southern Conference 4 Rovers
Clendon United NRF Division 5 10
Clevedon NRF South Division 9 14 Promoted from NRF South Division 10
Coastal Spirit Southern League 2
Colo Boys Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN

D[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Dannevirke Manawatu Division 2 7
Douglas Villa Capital 1 4 Promoted from Capital 2
Dunedin City Royals Southern League 2
Durie Hill Whanganui Championship 6
Drury United NRF Division 4 9 Promoted from NRF Division 5

E[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
East Coast Bays Northern League 2 Bays Promoted from NRFL Championship
Eastern City Waikato Division 4 9 New Club
Eastern Suburbs Northern League 2 Lilywhites
Ellerslie NRFL Championship 3 Ponies
Eltham Taranaki Division 2 6
Eskview United Hawkes Bay Division 2 6

F[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
FC Nelson Nelson Premier Division 1 5
FC Twenty 11 Southern League 2
FC Western Central Federation League 3 Promoted from Taranaki Premiership
FC Whangarei Northland Division 1 6
Featherston United Wairarapa 1 8
Feilding United Horizons Premiership 4
Fencibles United NRFL Championship 3
Ferrymead Bays Southern League 2 Bays
Franklin United NRFL Championship 3 Promoted from NRFL Northern Conference


G[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Geraldine South Canterbury Division 1 4 Promoted from South Canterbury Division 2
Gisborne Bohemians Gisborne Eastern 2 5
Gisborne Thistle Central Federation League 3 Thistle
Gisborne United Gisborne Eastern 1 4
Glen Eden United NRF Harbour Division 8 13 New Club
Golden Bay Nelson Premier Division 1 5 Promoted from Nelson Division 2
Gore Wanderers Southland Division 1 4
Grants Braes Otago Division 1 4
Green Island Southern Premier League 3 Relegated from Southern League
Greenhithe NRF Division 5 10 Promoted from NRF Harbour Division 6
Greytown Capital 2 5 Promoted from Capital 3

H[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Halswell United Mainland Premier League 3 Hawks
Hamilton Wanderers Northern League 2 Wanderers
Hastings Hibernian Hawkes Bay Division 2 6
Hauraki Plains Waikato Division 4 9 New Club
Havelock North Wanderers Central Federation League 3 Wanderers Promoted from Pacific Premiership
Hāwera Taranaki Premiership 4
Hibiscus Coast NRFL Championship 3 Coast
High School Old Boys AFC Mainland Division 4 8
High School Old Boys SC Gisborne Division 1 4 Promoted from Gisborne Division 2
Hornby United Mainland Division 3 7
Huntly Thistle Waikato Division 1 6 Thistle Promoted from Waikato Division 2
Hurunui Rangers Mainland Division 9 13

I[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Independiente Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Inglewood Taranaki Premiership 4 Promoted from Taranaki Championship
Internationale Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Island Bay United Central League 2 Sharks Promoted from Capital Premier

K[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Kaikohe Northland Division 2 7
Kaitaia United Northland Division 1 6 Promoted from Northland Division 2
Kaitake Taranaki Premiership 4 Promoted from Taranaki Championship
Kapiti Coast United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8 KCU
Kamo Northland Division 1 6 Promoted from Northland Division 2
Kaponga Taranaki Championship 5 Promoted from Taranaki Division 1
Katikati Bay League Division 1A 6
Kerikeri Northland Division 1 6

L[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Levin Horizons Premiership 4
Linton Horizons Championship 5
Lower Hutt City Capital Premier 3 Yellows
Lynn-Avon United NRF Division 5 10 Promoted from NRF Central Division 6

M[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Madhatters Northland Division 2 7 Relegated from Northland Division 1
Manakau United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Manawatu Plunderers Manawatu Division 3 8
Mangawhai Northland Division 2 7 Relegated from Northland Division 1
Mangere United NRF League One 5 Promoted from NRF Division 3
Manukau United NRFL Championship 3 Relegated from Northern League
Manurewa Northern League 2 Rewa
Mapua Rangers Nelson Division 2 6 Rangers Promoted from Nelson Division 3
Martinborough Wairarapa 2/3 9/10
Masterton Wairarapa 1 8
Massey University Manawatu Division 1 6 Massey
Matamata Swifts WaiBOP League One 5 Swifts
Maycenvale United Pacific Premiership 4
Melville United Northern League 2
Metro NRFL Championship 3
Methven Mainland Division 2 6
Mid Canterbury United Mainland Division 1 5
Miramar Rangers Central League 2 Rangers
Morrinsville Waikato Division 1 6 Promoted from Waikato Division 2
Mosgiel Southern Premiership 3 Plainsmen
Motueka Nelson Premiership Division 1 5
Moturoa Taranaki Premiership 4 Reds
Mt Albert Ponsonby NRFL Championship 3

N[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Naenae SC Capital 3 6
Napier City Rovers Central League 2 Rovers
Napier Marist Pacific Premiership 4
Napier South Hawkes Bay Division 2 6
Nelson Suburbs Southern League 2 Suburbs
New Plymouth Boys' High School Taranaki Premiership 4
New Plymouth Rangers Central Federation League 3 Rangers Promoted from Taranaki Premiership
Ngatapa Gisborne Eastern 2 5
Ngaruawahia United NRFL Championship 3 Green Machine
Ngongotahā Lakes NRFL Southern Conference 4 Villagers
Ngunguru Northland Division 1 6
Nomads United Southern League 2 Nomads
North End Manawatu Division 1 6
North Shore United NRFL Championship 3 Shore
North Wellington Central League 2
Northern FootballSouth Premier League 3 Northern
Northern Hearts FootballSouth Premier League 3 Hearts
Northern United WaiBOP League One 5 Promoted from Waikato Division 1
Northern Rovers NRFL Championship 3 Rovers
Northern Wairoa Northland Division 2 7
Northland NRFL Northern Conference 4

O[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Ohope Beach Bay League 1A 6 New Club
Old Boys Otago Division 1 4 Reds Transferred from Southland Division 1
Ōmokoroa Bay League 2A 7 New Club
Onehunga Sports NRF South Division 6 11 Sports Promoted from NRF Central Division 8
Onehunga-Mangere United NRFL Championship 3 OMU
Onerahi Northland Division 1 6
Oratia United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Tia
Otago University FootballSouth Premier League 3 Varsity
Otaki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Otahuhu United NRF Division 3 8 Promoted from NRF Division 4
Otorohanga WaiBOP League One 5
Otumoetai NRFL Southern Conference 4
Oxford Mainland Division 1 5 Promoted from Mainland Division 4

P[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Paekākāriki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Pahiatua Manawatu Division 3 8
Palmerston North Marist Horizons Premiership 4 Marist
Palmerston North Marist Central Federation League 3 Marist
Palmerston North United Central Federation League 3
Papakura City NRF League One 5
Papamoa NRFL Southern Conference 4
Papanui-Redwood Mainland Division 5 9
Papatoetoe NRF League One 5 Reds
Papatoetoe United NRF Division 4 9 Promoted from NRF South Division 6
Parklands United Mainland Premier League 3
Peringa United Central Federation League 4 Promoted from Taranaki Premiership
Petone Central League 2 Settlers
Picton Marlborough Division 2 6 Relegated from Marlborough Division 1
Plains Rangers Bay League Division 2B 8 Relegated from Bay League Division 2
Pleasant Point South Canterbury Division 1 4 Promoted from South Canterbury Division 2
Porirua City Wellington 1 8
Port Hill United Pacific Premiership 4
Puhoi NRF Harbour Division 8 13 New Club
Pukekohe NRF Division 4 9
Putaruru Rangers Waikato Division 3 8 Rangers Promoted from Waikato Division 4

Q[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Queens Park FootballSouth Premier League 3 Park
Queenstown Rovers FootballSouth Premier League 3 Rovers

R[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Rangers Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Ranui Swanson NRF Division 5 10 Relegated from NRF League One
Rapa Nui Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Red Sox Manawatu Manawatu Division 1 6
Richmond Athletic Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Rivercity Whanganui Championship 6 Chiefs
Roslyn-Wakari FootballSouth Premier League 3
RNZ Navy NRF Division 4 9

S[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Seatoun Capital Premier 3 Toon
Selwyn United Southern League 2
Shockers Gisborne Eastern 1 4 Promoted from Gisborne Eastern 2
South Auckland Rangers NRF League One 5 Rangers
Southend United Southland Division 2 5 Relegated from Southland Division 1
Sperm Whales Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN Spunkies
St Albans Shirley Mainland Division 2 6
Stokes Valley Capital 2 5
Stop Out Central League 2
Stratford Taranaki Division 2 6

T[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Tahuna Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Takapuna NRFL Championship 3 Taka Relegated from Northern League
Takaro Horizons Premiership 4
Taradale Central Federation League 3
Taupo NRFL Southern Conference 4
Tauranga City Northern League 3 The Blues Promoted from NRFL Championship
Tawa Capital Premier 3
Te Atatu NRFL Northern Conference 5 Promoted from NRF League One
Te Awamutu NRFL Southern Conference 4
Te Kotahitanga [[Capital Premier (New Zealand)|Capital Premier 3 New Club
Te Puke United WaiBOP League One 6 Promoted from Bay League 1
Temuka United South Canterbury Division 3 6 Relegated from South Canterbury Division 2
Thames Waikato Division 2 7
Tikipunga Northland Division 1 6
Thistle FC Southland Division 1 4 Thistle
Timaru Boys' High School South Canterbury Division 1 4
Timaru City South Canterbury Division 3 6
Thistle AFC South Canterbury Division 1 4 Thistle
Tokoroa WaiBOP League One 5
Trojans Marlborough Division 1 5
Tuakau NRF South Division 5 10

U[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Uni-Mount Bohemian NRF League One 5 Uni-Mount
University of Auckland Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN
Universities Southern League 2 Promoted from Mainland Premier League
Upper Hutt City Capital Premier 3

V[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Victoria University Capital 1 4 Vic Uni

W[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Waiariki Bay League 2B 8 New Club
Waiheke United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Islanders Relegated from NRFL Championship
Waihi Waikato Division 2 7
Waihopai Southland Division 1 4
Waikanae Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Waikato Unicol NRFL Southern Conference 4
Waimakariri United Mainland Premier League 3 Waimak
Wainui Gisborne Eastern 1 4
Wainuiomata Capital Premier 3
Waiariki Bay League 2B 8 New Club
Wairarapa United Women's 1 4[a] Rapa
Wairoa Athletic Gisborne Eastern 2 5 Relegated from Gisborne Eastern 1
Waitara Taranaki Championship 5 Promoted from Taranaki Division 1
Waitemata NRFL Northern Conference 4
Waiuku NRF League One 5 Blue Army Promoted from NRF Division 5
Wakefield Nelson Division 2 6
Wanaka FootballSouth Premier League 3
Warkworth NRF Harbour Division 6 11 Relegated from NRF Division 5b
Waterside Karori Central League 2 Wharfies
Wellington Marist Capital 1 4 Marist Promoted from Capital 2
Wellington Olympic Central League 2 Greeks
Wellington Phoenix Reserves Central League 2 Nix
Wellington United Capital 3 6 Diamonds
West Auckland NRF League One 5 Relegated from NRFL Northern Conference
West Coast Rangers Northern League 3 Rangers
West End South Canterbury Division 1 4
West Hamilton United WaiBOP League One 5
Western Mainland Premier League 3 Dub
Western Rangers Pacific Premiership 4
Western Rovers FC Southland Division 3 6
Western Springs Northern League 2 Springs
Western Suburbs Central League 2 Wests
Whakatane Town Bay League Division 1A 6
Whanganui Athletic Central Federation League 3 Relegated from Central League
Wanganui City Horizons Premiership 4
Wanganui Marist Whanganui Championship 6
Winton Southland Division 2 5 Relegated from Southland Division 1
Woodleigh Taranaki Championship 5
Woodville Manawatu Division 3 8 New Club
Wyndham Town Southland Division 3 6 Relegated from Southland Division 2

Z[edit]

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Zamantix Rovers Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN

Clubs in system last season[edit]

Club 2022 League/Division Lvl Nickname
Horowhenua Coastal Capital 1 4
Kawerau Bay League Division 1 6
Marewa United Hawkes Bay Division 3 6
Paihia Northland Division 2 7
Te Anau Southland Division 1 4

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Wairarapa United pulled their men's team out of the Central League before the start of the 2022 season, leaving the women's team as their top senior team.[9]

Total[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fact file: New Zealand football". Tourism New Zealand. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. ^ "The battle to get a New Zealand team in Australia's W-League". Stuff. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ Voerman, Andrew (25 March 2021). "The Wellington Phoenix have as large a Kiwi presence right now as they ever have had". Stuff. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Football in New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. ^ "What's in a name? It's been a decade since the Wellington Phoenix got theirs". Stuff. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ^ "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  7. ^ "New National League competition". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  8. ^ "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Update to the 2022 Central League". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 9 August 2022.