Their first tournament was the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship, which they won after defeating England (38–3) in the final.

Summary of all matches played by the New Zealand Under-20s as of 19 July 2024 On 10 April 2024, Head Coach Jono Gibbes announced the squad for the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship in Australia.

[2] Non-travelling reserves named were: After winning the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship title, Jono Gibbes named the squad for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship on 31 May 2024.

[4] Non-travelling reserves: The following New Zealand U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:[6] Due to the U20 category only existing since the combining of the U19 and U21 age groups in 2007, the following table only includes coaches appointed since.

In the inaugural tournament in 2008, Dave Rennie and Russell Hilton-Jones served as co-coaches in charge of the team.