The 1961 Chatham Cup was the 34th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
Other teams known to have taken part in the final rounds included Otangarei United (Whangarei), Hamilton Technical Old Boys, Kahukura (Rotorua), Eastern Union (Gisborne), Moturoa (New Plymouth), Napier Rovers, Wanganui United, Kiwi United (Manawatu), Nelson Thistle[1] and Timaru Thistle.
Northern won the cup for a second time, having previously been champions in 1959; North Shore United made their third consecutive finals appearance, having won the cup in 1960.
The final was a free flowing affair, but no goals came until the half hour mark, when Northern took the lead through George Little.
The score remained 1-0 until two minutes from the end of the match, when Bruce Campbell doubled Northern's lead.