Each season, two clubs would gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region.

Auckland City were the most successful side since the competition's inception, with twelve premierships and seven championship titles.

If the same team wins both the Minor Premiership and the Championship, the second Champions League spot is granted to the regular season runner-up.

Auckland City were also crowned the inaugural NZFC champions after defeating Waitakere United 3–2 in the final.

The second season saw Napier City Rovers rebrand and reorganize their NZFC team as Hawke's Bay United, forming an amalgamated franchise with other local clubs.

At the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, New Zealand Football granted three-season licence extensions to seven of the eight franchises – all but YoungHeart Manawatu, who had to reapply due to concerns over the club's financial and organisational situation.

However, YoungHeart eventually earned reinstatement after beating out four rival bids – one based in Gisborne, one from North Shore City, and two from Manukau.

Restrictions were also put in place for all clubs requiring that at least 50% of match day squads are players who are eligible to play for the All Whites.

This trend was bucked, however, in the twelfth season of the competition, as Team Wellington defeated Auckland City 4–2 after extra time in the final.

[12] The 2018–19 saw Eastern Suburbs crowned as champions for the first time, becoming the first club to win the NZFC and the New Zealand National Soccer League.

[15] In March 2021, New Zealand Football announced a change to the structure of both the premiership and the top regional leagues around the country.

[1] Until 2019, the New Zealand Football Championship had no promotion or relegation, similar to leagues in Australia and the United States.

A promotion and relegation system was to be introduced to the National League in 2020/2021, taking the form of a slot protection model.

† Due to reaching 12 goals in less games, Hamish Watson was awarded the trophy at the Grand finals.

[16][17] In 2014, to celebrate the first 10 years of the league under the franchise format (2004–05 to 2013–14), New Zealand Football announced an official Team of the Decade and five individual player awards.

[20][21] Prior to the ASB Premiership Grand Final in 2014, the Team of the Decade was announced, as selected by a panel of media experts.

[26] The fixture pits the ASB Premiership Grand Final winner against the best performing New Zealand team in the OFC Champions League.

[26] However, when the same team fills both categories as Auckland City did in 2014 and 2015 the ASB Premiership runner-up qualifies for Charity Cup.

It was held between October and December, and consisted of each team playing each other once; the fixture list mirroring that of the senior league.