[2] They lost the shield soon after to Counties-Manukau, before winning it back from them in August 2014[3] and holding it for eleven defences until October 2015.

In the semi-final, the Vikings avenged their loss to Bay of Plenty in round robin play to face Northland in the final.

They subsequently won the final against Bay of Plenty at McLean Park, Napier and were promoted to First Division.

In the past, Hawke's Bay has produced some great All Blacks, including Kel Tremain and George Nēpia.

However, in August 2009 the club's chairman Richard Hunt announced they were withdrawing their bid because they had not had sufficient time to present a business plan.

[5] Hawke's Bay would be New Zealand's sixth team if they were to join Super Rugby[citation needed].

In case two beaten semi-finalists are in contention for one spot in the Nash Cup competition, the winner of the earlier round-robin match between the two clubs will earn the promotion.

The six (not eight) teams that ranked highest on the Nash Cup table played for the Maddison Trophy in the second round of the premiers competition.

[11] The five teams at the bottom of the Nash Cup table played in Division 1 for the Hepa Paewai Trophy.

[12] The sixth team in Division 1 would have been the winner of the Town & Country final, but neither of the finalists – Napier Old Boys Marist RFC Premiers Reserves (ineligible) or Ōtāne Sports Club (opted out) – did take that spot in the Division 1 round 2 competition and instead played in Division 2 for the Tom Mulligan Cup with the other club teams finishing in the top 3 of the Country grade and the top 5 of the Town grade.

The highest ranked teams of each pool played each other for the Jack Swain Cup and a place in the Town v Country final.

Both Division 3 and 3A consisted of three round robin games, with the two highest ranked teams playing a Final.

[21] Napier Boys High School 1st XV won the Super 8 in 2000, 2002, 2003 and most recently made the Final in 2023.

[22][23] Hawke's Bay made their debut, along with Tasman, Manawatu and Counties-Manukau, in the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup which had 14 teams.

Hawkes Bay made their best effort to date in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup, winning many games even against bigger unions such as Wellington and Waikato.