[1] After the round robin Hawke's Bay, Southland, Wellington and Canterbury came out on top to advance to the finals.

[6] (1) the winner of the round robin match between the two provinces; then (2) highest point difference; then (3) most tries scored; then (4) a coin toss.

[9] Wellington were leading 19–7 at halftime but Southland made comeback early in the second scoring two converted tries in the first ten minutes.

The 2009 Air New Zealand Cup Final was played on 7 November at Lancaster Park in Christchurch between Canterbury and Wellington.

[3] The Tasman Rugby Union was in doubt for inclusion 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, stating financial problems as the cause of their potential downfall.

But in December 2008, the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed that they were able to compete in the 2009 competition after new funding arrangements were put in place for Tasman in 2009.

[22] The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union terminated head coach Greg Smith's contract by mutual agreement in August, two weeks into the competition.

Technical adviser Sean Horan took his place for the remainder of the season as Steve Miln remained assistant coach.

Smith was appointed as Kevin Schuler's successor in March this year, but stood down before the Air NZ Cup competition began on 30 July amid claims of a player revolt and a breakdown with management.

A statement released by the Bay of Plenty rugby Union said the termination of Smith's contract was due to "breakdown in certain aspects of the relationship".

[26] Hawke's Bay have contributed 48 players to the New Zealand national team throughout their history including George Nēpia, Maurice and Cyril Brownlie, Kel Tremain and Norm Hewitt.

The revival of the Ranfurly Shield's interest was helped by Hawke's Bay's tenure between 1922 and 1927 under head coach Norman McKenzie.

[26] Hawke's Bay have won the National Provincial Championship 2nd division 7 times: in 1979, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004; and since being promoted up to the Air New Zealand Cup in 2006, have been semifinalists in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

[28] Canterbury were leading 26–0 at halftime thanks to tries by George Whitelock and Tim Bateman as well as 2 conversions and 4 penalty goals from Daniel Carter.

Canterbury increased their lead to 36 with 15 minutes left while two late tries by Wellington was only a consolation as the challengers cut the holders shield tenure to 6.

[20] Defense was evident during the game with the only scoring coming from a dropkick by Stephen Brett for Canterbury and 3 penalty goals by Robbie Robinson for Southland.

[34] Hawke's Bay scored their first of five tries after 25 minutes of play which went wing Zac Guildford who ran down the left-hand touchline after a midfield turnover.

22 points from the boot of first five-eighth Matt Berquist along with five tries gave Hawke's Bay their first win over Auckland in 35 years.

[38] Tasman gained the halftime lead with a try and conversion from Andrew Goodman while Auckland could only score a penalty goal by Ash Moeke.

Both Blair Cook and James Kamana of Tasman scored two tries each while Andrew Goodman converted five of those as well as kicking three penalty goals.

Counties Manukau only managed two tries to Mark Selwyn and Sherwin Stowers as well as one conversion and penalty goal.

[40] When Taranaki beat Wellington 29 points to 16, it was the first time they have beaten them in a NPC or Air New Zealand Cup match since 1989.

[43] When Wellington beat Counties Manukau on 4 September, winger Hosea Gear equaled the record for most tries by a player in an Air New Zealand Cup game with 4, 3 of them in the first 30 minutes.

[44] When Wellington beat Auckland 16–15, fly-half Fa'atonu Fili kicked his third drop goal of the season, an Air New Zealand Cup record.

[44] Manawatu's Andre Taylor equaled the record for most points scored in an Air New Zealand Cup match with 27.

[44] The overall New Zealand provincial rugby record is held by Ben Blair from Canterbury when he scored 37 points against Counties Manukau in 1999.

2009 pre-season games including two Ranfurly Shield matches for Wellington against Wairarapa Bush and Wanganui.

Nathan Pearce officiated the Hawke's Bay, Taranaki game on 15 August, he was the first referee from outside the country to referee an Air New Zealand Cup match, he was followed by fellow Australian Andrew Lees on 11 September and Englishman Wayne Barnes on 24 September.