The 2016–17 Plunket Shield was the 88th season of official first-class cricket in New Zealand.
[2][3] These were in preparation for a possible day/night Test match between New Zealand and England, scheduled to take place in March 2018.
[4] Despite some concerns about the visibility of the pink ball while catching, the matches received positive feedback.
[5] In the first round of matches, Michael Papps playing for Wellington, became the first player to score 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield.
[6] The start of the round four fixture between Wellington and Central Districts was delayed because of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck New Zealand on 14 November 2016.