The championship has been running since 1929, although the event has not been held during various years.

[1][2][3] Throughout the history of the championship, New Zealand has produced some of the best riders of all-time.

Two legendary riders Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs, who won ten world individual titles between them, only won four national championships because they spent significant parts of their careers based in England and did not always compete.

[4][5][6] From 1979, the final of the New Zealand Solo Championship regularly doubled up as the New Zealand qualification round for the Speedway World Championship, although during various years this has not always been the case due to factors like licensing.

Since the early 1990s, the standard of speedway in New Zealand has decreased significantly and no rider has managed to win a competition of note.