The first New Zealand Tennis Championships were played at Farndon Park in Clive, Hawke's Bay, in December 1885.

[2] New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association (NZLTA) was formed at a meeting held in Hastings in December 1886.

The geographical remoteness of both the countries (Australia and New Zealand) made it difficult for foreign players to enter the tournament.

In Christchurch in 1906, of a small field of 10 players, only two Australians attended, and the tournament was won by a New Zealander (Tony Wilding).

The constitution of the organisation was adopted on 12 August 2006 in the Special General Meeting in which the main purpose of the organisation is defined as to promote, develop, enhance and protect the sport of tennis mainly as an amateur sport for the recreation and entertainment of the general public in New Zealand.