In 2010 the competition replaced the Bartercard Premiership following a Sparc funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League.

The competition was reformatted for the 2016 season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a national championship.

The Upper Central and Mid-Central zones reverted to district teams with these teams, alongside Northland and the South Island districts, competing in four regional championships.

[1] From 2019, this changed again, with a 4-team Premiership and 8-team, two conference (North and South Island) Championship contested.

Note: *In 2014 Counties Manukau were disqualified from the final for fielding an ineligible player.