Bowls Auckland is proud to announce the women’s and men’s squads selected to represent Tāmaki Makaurau at the prestigious National Intercentre, to be hosted on home soil in March 2026.
With momentum building off recent octagonal success, preparations are already well advanced for what promises to deliver some of the very best bowls in Aotearoa.
Tournament Details
Dates: 12–15 March 2026
Host Centres: Auckland & North Harbour
Tournament HQ: Howick Bowling Club
Draws: Available via Bowls New Zealand
Both squads combine experience, composure and championship pedigree with emerging talent well-versed in high-performance demands. The work across the season has built toward this moment, and the teams will enter confident in their preparation and clarity of purpose.
Women’s Squad
Drawn in Section 2 alongside Canterbury and Southland, Auckland faces a competitive pathway to secure a top-two finish and progress to the final eight.
With a first-round bye, the women open their campaign against Gisborne before building toward a pivotal final section match against Canterbury — a contest that could determine section standings.
Men’s Squad
With an average age of just 33, Auckland fields one of the youngest teams in the competition. The squad is headlined by two Blackjacks, Aiden Takarua and Tony Grantham.
Steve Fisher, in just his fifth year of bowling, will make his Intercentre debut leading the fours, a role he knows well after claiming back-to-back national fours titles and a bronze medal last week.
The men face a challenging section, with Nelson expected to provide the sternest test, while Waikato and Wairarapa loom as potential disruptors.
Howick Bowling Club as HQ
Hosting Intercentre is both a privilege and a responsibility. With Howick as tournament headquarters and greens across Auckland and North Harbour set to present superb playing surfaces, the event will be a celebration of community, performance and manaakitanga.
Bowls Auckland is immensely proud of the progress shown by both squads this season and stands firmly behind the teams selected.
From 12–15 March, we encourage clubs, members and supporters to pack the banks as we welcome the country to Tāmaki Makaurau and chase Intercentre success on home soil.
🔵 Let’s show what Auckland bowls is all about.
