Touch New Zealand is excited to announce the dates and venues for our 2023/24 National season.

• 2023 Bunnings NZSS National Touch Championship 
  8^th – 10^th December 2023 | Rotorua International Stadium and Ray Boord Park, Rotorua
• 2024 Bunnings National Youth Touch Championship
  2^nd – 4^th February 2024 | Pulman Park, Auckland
• 2024 Bunnings National Masters Touch Championship
  23^rd – 25^th February 2024 | Ongley Park, Palmerston North
• 2024 Bunnings National Touch Championship
  8^th – 10^th March 2024 | Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

The calendar will see four national events held next season in Rotorua, Auckland, and Palmerston North.

The 28^th Bunnings NZSS National Touch Championship will return to Rotorua in December, with Pulman Park in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland playing host for the Bunnings National Youth Touch Championship in February.

For the first time since 2013, Masters and Open grades will have their own respective National Championships. Palmerston North will host the Bunnings National Masters Touch Championship in February, followed by the Bunnings National Touch Championship in Rotorua in March.

While the Bunnings National Touch Championship has included Masters teams for the past ten years, the steady growth in team numbers has put increased pressure on the viability of this format – particularly in securing venues that meet tournament and participant requirements.

Following the 2021 Bunnings National Touch Championship, initial discussions were undertaken with the Touch community (provinces, coaches, referees, players) on the tournament format, which dictated the need for further investigation. A National Tournament Review Panel (NTRP) was established in 2022 to conduct a review of the tournament calendar and prepare recommendations to the Touch NZ Chief Executive.

Following a detailed review by the NTRP Panel, it was agreed that the preferred option would be for Masters and Opens national championship to be separate events for the 2023-2024 season and onwards. Whilst it was agreed on this current model, it was noted that there is no perfect long-term model, and that there should be regular feedback obtained and a review established at least every 4 years.

We are looking forward to showcasing these events alongside venue partners, Rotorua Lakes Council, Auckland Council and Palmerston North City Council as well as Principal Partner Bunnings.