Southern Hoiho guard Paige Bradley takes the ball up the court during a game against the Tokomanawa Queens at the Edgar Centre last season. Photo: Peter McIntosh

New Zealand’s premier women’s basketball competition will tip off with the Tauranga Whai hosting the Northern Kāhu in Tauranga on September 25.

The Southern Hoiho get their Tauhi campaign under way the following evening. They play the Mainland Pouākai in Christchurch.

The Tokomanawa Queens host the Whai on Sunday afternoon to complete the opening round.

Tauhi’s five teams will contest 30 games across a 10-round regular season. The fixtures will predominantly be played from Friday through Sunday, each team playing 12 regular-season games before the top four advance to the post-season.

The home finals format returns in 2026. The No1 seed will host the opening semifinal on December 5, and the No2 seed will host the other semi on December 6.

The final is scheduled for December 13.

Every Tauihi game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

The Hoiho, who were knocked out by the Pouākai in the playoffs last season, play twice in round two, both games on the road.

They play the Whai on October 2 and the Kāhu on October 4.

Their first home game is against the Queens at the Edgar Centre on October 11.

They return to Christchurch for a second game against the Pouākai in round 4 and they have another double-header in round 6.

Three of their final four round-robin games are in Dunedin, including their final one against the Kāhu on November 27.

Tauihi league

Hoiho draw

Home: Oct 11 v Queens, Oct 24 v Whai, Oct 30 v Kāhu, Nov 8 v  Pouākai, Nov 13 v Whai, Nov 27 v Kāhu

Away: Sept 26 v Pouākai, Oct 2 v Whai, Oct 4 v Kāhu, Oct 17 v  Pouākai, Nov 1 v Queens, Nov 22 v Queens