[1] The union's premier team is the Tasman Mako which compete in New Zealand's provincial rugby competition, the Bunnings NPC.

Despite the season record of just 2 wins and 7 losses, the Mako showed the ability to compete and provided a platform to build for the future.

In round 2 against Waikato, Tasman first five Miah Nikora nailed a stunning last minute drop goal to snatch a 14–16 victory and claim the Mako first scalp over a major union.

However, their strong season coupled with public pressure forced the NZRU to reverse its decision and announce that Tasman and Northland would remain in the competition.

[6] There were doubts as to whether Tasman would contest the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, with funding issues and disagreement amongst its stakeholders on its future.

[7] However, these disputes were resolved and Tasman finished the 2009 season in 9th place with 6 wins and 7 losses, with their most memorable performance coming in round 9 against Auckland.

[9] However, the Mako managed to upset eventual champions and neighbours Canterbury in round 4, with a famous 27–25 victory at Trafalgar Park.

Despite taking just 2 wins and finishing in last spot for the season,[12] the Mako were well received by their fans by playing a positive attacking brand of rugby that included 4 losses by 4 points or less.

[31] After just 14 seasons the Tasman Mako reached the pinnacle of New Zealand provincial rugby, winning the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup and doing it unbeaten.

Hit hard by injury and without many players from their 2019 heroics the Mako were not as dominant in 2020 with heavy losses in the regular season to North Harbour (40-24), Auckland (31-10) and Canterbury (0-29).

[35][36][37] Tasman were unable to defend their premiership title in 2021, it was a great start to the season with wins over Bay of Plenty (14–27), Auckland (16–11) and Northland (29–48) before the side suffered a first loss 22–39 at the hands of Waikato.

The Mako bounced back thumping Southland 51–14 before having a crack at the Ranfurly Shield against Hawke's Bay where they were again unsuccessful 34–22.

Hawke's Bay were favourites ahead of the semi-final in Napier after losing only 1 game in the regular season, Tasman came up big hanging on to win 27–33.

The side was missing many key players with injury and All Blacks duties but still managed to drop many games they should have won.

The promising depth of the union was also shown in their Round 8 fixture against Otago where all of their key players were rested for the following Ranfurly shield defences and 8 debutants ran out, despite a 47–31 loss the side was very competitive.

Dominant wins came over Manawatu (21–54), Canterbury (22–7), Counties Manukau (3–48) and Bay of Plenty (34–15), as well as a thrilling last minute penalty goal victory over Waikato (25–27).

Tasman had not held the Ranfurly Shield until Round 5 of the 2024 Bunnings NPC where they beat holders Hawke's Bay 24–25 at McLean Park in a famous overtime victory with Campbell Parata kicking a penalty goal from half way to win.

Green fill denotes Cup winner Players that have represented Tasman Mako in any fixture since their inception in 2006, and also played for the All Blacks.