The competition started on Thursday, August 17, with North Harbour taking on Otago at QBE Stadium, in a repeat of the previous seasons Championship Division final.

The opening round saw a repeat of the Premiership final with Tasman against the then current champions Canterbury.

Wanganui travelled to Christchurch to play at AMI Stadium, while the Shield went on the road for a challenge against Mid-Canterbury at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

Captain and halfback Jack Stratton scored the opening try in the 10th minute, before four more first-half tries resulted in the lead out to 36−5 at the break.

Also early in the half, a yellow card was awarded to Wanganui prop Viki Tofa, for a high tackle on flanker Billy Harmon.

Debutant first-five eighth Brett Cameron kicked 17 points in the match, while hooker Nick Werahiko scored a double.

Midfielder Timoci Seruwalu scored the visitors' only try late in the first half, when he powered over the line on the back of a close scrum.

Having led 33–0 at halftime, the defending Mitre 10 Cup champions went on to run in eleven tries to one and beat the Heartland Championship side at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

[11] Former New Zealand under-20s World Cup winner Josh McKay was one of four Canterbury players to make their debut in the match, with himself and outside back Nigel Gibb, who beat four defenders on his way to the line, scoring tries in the blowout win.