Auckland ready to take on the Octagonal

Auckland’s Premier and Development squads have been named for the 2026 Octagonal Challenge, set to take place on 14–15 February.

With men’s and women’s teams across both competitions, Auckland will be well represented against some of the strongest regions in the country. The Premier teams will compete at Howick Bowling Club, while the Development squads head to Browns Bay.

Selection discussions focused on commitment, performance and future potential, with several players earning their opportunity to step into the representative environment.

👉 View the full squads here

JBWere Auckland Open - a look back

The conclusion of the 2025 JBWere Auckland Open captured what the event has come to represent, high-quality bowls, strong competition, and a genuine sense of community across our clubs.

Played in some challenging conditions and broadcast live, Finals Day delivered plenty of drama, with match deciders and composure under pressure proving just as important as shot-making. Across three days, player skill, strategy, and resilience, with a consistently high standard of play was on display.

Beyond the greens, the event was also about connection: from the energy at host clubs to the support of volunteers, officials, partners, and the wider bowls community who helped bring the tournament together.

Bowls Auckland CEO Dean Bartlett reflected on the event’s impact: 

“The JBWere Auckland Open brought together great bowls, strong competition, and an even stronger community. It was awesome to showcase our clubs and witness the camaraderie between players. The quality and calibre of play across the competition was incredible, and we were proud to deliver the Auckland Open as part of the World Bowls Series. We’re excited to see it continue to grow and develop.”

👉Read full event recap

⬇️ If you missed the broadcasts, here are the links to view.

Raffle Winner - JBWere Auckland Open

Congratulations to Valerie Arndt, the lucky winner of the JBWere Auckland Open raffle, taking home a set of bowls, generously donated by Taylor Bowls NZ.

Importantly, all proceeds from the raffle are being donated to the Bowls Auckland Foundation, helping support the continued growth and development of bowls across the region.

Congratulations again to Valerie, and thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket and contributed to a great cause and , and Bowls Auckland extends its sincere thanks for their ongoing support.

Auckland skip youngest to win the Open Fours

Adam Blucher of the Te Atatū Peninsula club in Auckland has become the youngest ever winner of The Devon Hotel Taranaki Men’s Open fours tournament.

Blucher and his side of Stefan McCartain, Richard Coles and Brendon Walton took out the 121st edition of the biggest provincial bowls event in New Zealand on Paritutu’s front green yesterday afternoon.

They won the first all-Auckland final since 1963, beating Steve Bicknell, Darral Gordon, Neville Hill and skip Liam Hill (Onehunga & Districts) 23-8 in the final that concluded after just 18 ends.

Aged 20 years and 169 days, Blucher becomes the youngest ever winner of the Open. The record was previously held by another Aucklander, Dan Delany, who was 20 years and 327 days old when he first won the event in 1999.

The record was always going to be broken after the finalists had been found, with Liam Hill only 16. 

👉Read Sports Taranaki full review

Family Roll Up Days - Family Fun!

Our Family Roll Up Days at the JBWere Auckland Open were all about family fun and time together on the greens, and they delivered just that.

Across the two days, families and friends came along to give bowls a go, soak up a fun and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. From kids having their first roll to parents joining in the fun, it was great to see so many smiles, laughs, and new faces enjoying bowls in a truly social setting.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped create such a positive vibe. Moments like these are what bowls is all about 💙

⬇️ Check out this snapshot of the fun.

Building the future with Rangatahi Coaching Clinics

Bowls Auckland kicked off 2026 with a two-day Rangatahi Coaching Clinic on 19–20 January at Remuera Bowling Club, designed to help young bowlers take the next step in their bowls journey, whatever their experience level.

Led by Coach Development Lead Les Eagleton, rangatahi worked through a range of practical drills, from jack placement and delivery technique to pairs strategy. Across the two days, participants gained a clearer understanding of their strengths, areas for development, and the confidence to apply their skills in a fun, supportive environment. The improvement on the green was clear, with many keen to keep developing ahead of the Secondary Schools Pairs Day on 24 March.

Bowls Auckland is now taking bookings for school engagement in Terms 1 and 4. Opportunities range from casual lunchtime ‘have-a-go’ sessions to structured PE classes, with new after-school coaching programmes also in development. To find out more or get your club involved, contact School Engagement Lead, Hannah at rollup@bowlsauckland.co.nz.

A big thank you to Les Eagleton and Remuera Bowling Club for their support, an awesome way to start the year and an exciting sign of what’s ahead for our young bowlers.

Rapid Roll Club Pennants launched

A new and exciting side format is set to bring club vs club, mate vs mate action to mid-week bowls, starting Tuesday 3 February at Mt Eden.

The latest addition to the Rapid Roll series is a unique pennant-style competition, featuring four sets of pairs per side, with points aggregated across all games, ensuring every bowl counts.

Fast-paced and social, each night includes up to three games of six ends, with play starting at 6.00pm and wrapping up around 7.30pm. The perfect post-work hit out.

Bowls Auckland is thrilled to launch this new format and congratulates all clubs, sides and players taking part.

👉For full event details, including the draw 

Entry fee payments made easier

A reminder for players and clubs that credit and debit card payments are now available in BowlsHub and are our preferred method for paying event entry fees.

Card payments secure your entry instantly, while bank transfer and invoicing options remain available for a limited time. It’s important to note that only secured entries will be included in the draw.

👉 Read the full details here

Ian Birch Memorial 

-- Shona Hewitt

Epsom Bowling Club hosted a memorable Ian Birch Memorial Tournament, with fine weather, a strong turnout, and a wonderful sense of occasion throughout the day.

Twenty-four triples from across Auckland enjoyed competitive bowls, while the event was brought to life through a live broadcast by Harvey Brunt, supported by Junior and the behind-the-scenes crew. The coverage captured both the action and the spirit of the day beautifully.

It was special to welcome Colleen Birch and family for the afternoon and prizegiving, honouring Ian’s lasting contribution to Epsom Bowling Club and the wider bowls community.

Congratulations to the Hobsonville trio of Clinton, Stephen and Fred, who claimed the trophy with four wins and an outstanding number of ends won.

A big thank you to Oceania Healthcare for their sponsorship and support, to all the volunteers who helped make the day such a success, from green preparation to catering, fundraising fun, and keeping the bar running.

👉Check out our Facebook post for full details