It played first-class cricket from 1874 to 1891, and is now one of the 21 teams from around New Zealand that compete in the Hawke Cup.
Nelson today compete in the Hawke Cup, which is played below first-class level.
[12] In 1963-64, defending their title against Waikato, Nelson made 632, a Hawke Cup record.
[13][14] The record stood until Nelson beat it in 1983-84, when they scored 641 for seven defending their title against Taranaki.
[16][17] The Nelson Cricket Association relocated from Trafalgar Park to Saxton Oval in 2009.