Champions fight back to secure thrilling Fours title

Champions find a way to win and so it proved with the Bowl New Zealand Fours Championship in Christchurch.

The 2023 champion Auckland combination of Mike Galloway, David Clark, Martin Dixon and Steve Fisher got up with the skip’s final bowl on the final end to defend their title at the Burnside Bowling Club.

They edged out the gallant and highly acclaimed local team of Kerry Becks, Rohan Ware, Sam Morton and Marshall Stoddart 13-12.

👉 Read Bowls NZ full story

It's game time - Molecheck 7s and Auckland Cup

The countdown is on! This weekend, clubs battle for glory in the Molecheck 7s and Auckland Cup, with national aspirations and major prizes on the line.

• Back-to-back titles: Can Auckland BC and Carlton Cornwall defend their national titles?
• New challengers: Auckland BC and Mt Albert women enter the Pathway Sevens—can they shake things up?
• Papatoetoe’s Cup defence: With increased competition, will Papatoetoe retain their title?
• Club depth: Royal Oak, Ōtāhuhu, St Heliers, Howick, and Carlton Cornwall bring multiple teams—will it pay off?

It’s all set for an epic weekend!

👉 Read the full preview here
👉 Check results here 

Auckland’s future stars set for 1-5 Octagonal! 

Some of Auckland’s emerging talent is gearing up for the 1-5 Year Octagonal, a brand-new event on the bowls calendar! Hosted at Mairangi Bay, this competition brings together top 1-5 players from across seven other regions, with Auckland’s squad ready to showcase their skills against strong opposition—including fierce rivals North Harbour and a returning Hawkes Bay side.

With momentum from recent successes, our squad is primed to make an impact.

👉See who has made the cut!

Player Survey

Played in a Centre Event this season—we want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us improve and evolve our events and programme to suit our players better.

👉 Please take a couple of moments to complete our Player Survey 

 The survey closes 5pm on 12 March—don’t miss your chance to have your say!

Rangatahi Roll Up kicks off for 2025!

We’re rolling into 2025 with a bang as the Rangatahi Roll Up programme is well underway! In just the second week of Term 1, over 300 students from seven schools have stepped onto the greens—including newcomers St Mary’s College, Massey High School, and Papakura High. It’s fantastic to see more schools jumping on board and giving bowls a go!

Our lunchtime roll-up sessions have been a hit, offering students a fun, relaxed introduction to bowls. Meanwhile, our in-class PE sessions have introduced entire classes to the sport – helping develop skills, confidence, and a love for the game! The enthusiasm from both students and teachers has been incredible, and we can’t wait to welcome even more schools as the term progresses.

With such strong energy and interest, 2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for youth bowls. Whether it's their first time or coming back for more, these students are proving that bowls is a game for all!

🎯 Watch this space—there’s plenty more action to come!

Oratia BC’s Green Celebration: A bright future rolls in!

-- Chris Stone

Wow—what a day! On Saturday, 22 February, Oratia Bowling Club officially opened its brand-new green, marking a milestone in the club’s history and setting the stage for an exciting future.

The celebration brought together the community, sponsors and supporters, including The Trusts Charitable Foundation Chairman Warren Flaunty, Waitakere Licensing Trust President Linda Cooper, Bowls Auckland Chair Ian Dee, and Mate Marinovich, representing the club’s Dalmatian founders. Former Waitakere Mayor Sir Bob Harvey and Lady Barbara also joined the fun, with Sir Bob even trying his hand at bowls!

A special shout-out to Club Manager Natalie Stone and Board Member Carolynne Stone for their tireless efforts, particularly Carolynne’s leadership in securing funding for the green replacement.

The event was packed with tradition and excitement. Warren Flaunty rolled the first official jack, followed by Club Patron and Life Member Ross Mullins delivering the first bowl. The club’s youngest ‘Rookie Rollers’ also stole the show with their enthusiasm!

As Bowls Auckland Chair Ian Dee noted, “You’ve truly captured the spirit of the Oratia community. The turnout and support are a testament to the club’s role in the community by bringing people together.”

A huge thank you to everyone who made this day unforgettable. The future of bowls at Oratia is shining brighter than ever! 🌟

Royal Oak’s Pavilion—backed by local legends! 

-- Alastair McKenzie

Royal Oak Bowls has a brand-new name for its impressive covered green—the Auckland Plumbers Group Pavilion—thanks to a fantastic three-year sponsorship from Onehunga-based Auckland Plumbers Group.

“My wife Kay and I love backing local initiatives that make a real difference,” said Andrew Durrans, Director of Auckland Plumbers Group. “Royal Oak Bowls has done an incredible job developing their covered green and growing their membership—we’re thrilled to support them.”

From casual Twilight Bowls to tournament sponsorship and now securing naming rights, Auckland Plumbers Group has become an integral part of the Royal Oak whānau. “It’s fantastic to have a local business championing our club,” said Royal Oak’s President, Gavin Brown.

The Auckland Plumbers Group Pavilion ensures bowlers can enjoy the sport year-round, rain or shine—a massive win for the club and the wider community. With this partnership, Royal Oak Bowls continues to thrive as a hub for bowlers of all ages and skill levels.

❤️ A huge thanks to Auckland Plumbers Group for their unwavering support!

Above - Royal Oak Bowls President Gavin Brown (front row, 3^rd from right), next to Andrew and Kay Durrans, Auckland Plumbers Group (front row, 2^nd and 1^st right) joined by APG staff members and Royal Oak Bowls Board Members.

Bowls, banter & mussels for Kittyhawks at Leigh

--Greame Scott

On 17 February, the Kittyhawks made their much-anticipated annual trip to Leigh Bowling Club, battling it out for the Rod Seymour/Puhoi Hotel Cup. But it wasn’t just about bowls—our time on the green also helped raise funds for the Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade, supporting the local heroes who keep the community safe.

Of course, no Kittyhawks trip to Leigh is complete without a stop at the Puhoi Hotel on the way home. This year, the pub treated us to an absolute feast of fresh mussels, making the perfect end to a fantastic day!