The winner of the Championship, Taranaki wasn't promoted to the Premiership due to a format restructure earlier in the season.

The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final.

The competition started on Friday, August 6, with Manawatu taking on Counties Manukau at Central Energy Trust Arena.

Auckland, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, North Harbour, Otago, and Southland would have byes due to covid restrictions.

For the 2021 pre-season, Hawke's Bay accepted Ranfurly Shield challenges from North Otago and Ngāti Porou East Coast.

North Otago then conceded a penalty try and lost lock Manulua Taiti to a yellow card.

[15] In Hawke's Bay's second defence of the year they scored 15 tries to win 93–5 against Ngāti Porou East Coast.

Hawke's Bay number 8 Gareth Evans opened the scoring off due to lineout maul five minutes into the first half.

Hawke's Bay had their second try through Josh Kaifa after some good runs from Anzelo Tuitavuki and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett on either wing, then fullback Danny Toala crossed over to make it 17–0 inside 15 minutes.

Ngāti Porou East Coast were coached by former New Zealand international Hosea Gear and scored their only try to hooker Jorian Tangaere in the thirtieth minute.