The regular season began on August 18, when North Harbour hosted Counties Manukau.

In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points differential margin got rights to be ranked above.

The competition started on Thursday, August 18, with North Harbour taking on Counties Manukau at QBE Stadium.

Hawke's Bay hosted Wellington and Auckalnd versed Canterbury, in two repeat matchups of last year's finalists.

After winning the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke's Bay in their final game of 2015, Waikato confirmed their pre-season defences against Thames Valley, King Country and Wanganui.

The Thames Valley and King Country unions would take on Waikato for the fifth time, while Wanganui gained a mandatory shield challenge as the current holders of the Meads Cup.

Winger Iliesa Ratuva scored a hat-trick on debut for his province, while number 8 Whetu Douglas and prop Atunaisa Moli both got a brace.

Thames Valley managed two second-half tries, the first after Waikato had reached fifty points to veteran Brett Ranga.

The match also featured a return for former Ireland half-back Isaac Boss, who first played for the province in 1999 before heading to Ulster in 2005.