Lawn Bowls Clubs in Northland: A Regional Guide

Northland is New Zealand’s warmest region, and its mild, subtropical climate makes it one of the best parts of the country for lawn bowls — a sport played outdoors on a large, flat grass or synthetic green, where players roll weighted, curved bowls as close as possible to a small white target ball called the jack. From the Far North around Kaitaia and Kerikeri, through the city of Whangārei, down to the Kaipara towns near Dargaville, dozens of clubs welcome beginners, holidaymakers and seasoned players alike. This guide explains how lawn bowls is organised in Northland, which clubs play where, what the season looks like, and how to get started.

How is lawn bowls organised in Northland?

Lawn bowls in Northland is run by Bowls Northland, the regional Centre of the national governing body. New Zealand is divided into regional Centres, and every affiliated club in the region belongs to one. Bowls Northland looks after Centre competitions, club affiliation, coaching pathways and the regional calendar, so it is the single best starting point if you want a complete, up-to-date list of clubs near you.

Bowls Northland: the regional Centre

Bowls Northland is based at the clubrooms of the Whangārei Bowling Club at 2 Second Avenue, in the Avenues area of the city. The Whangārei club was founded in 1901 and is Northland’s oldest bowling club, which is why the Centre’s administration sits there. Bowls Northland operates under Bowls New Zealand, the national body, which lists more than 460 affiliated clubs across the country in its most recent annual report.

Bowls Far North: the northern zone

The top of the region has its own competitive grouping, often referred to as Bowls Far North, which runs Far North Centre championships at venues such as the Church Road green in Kaitaia. This matters for players north of Whangārei because local pennant and championship play is organised around these northern clubs rather than requiring long drives south. Wherever you live in Northland, affiliation still flows up to Bowls Northland and then to the national body.

Lawn bowls clubs in the Far North

The Far North District, from the Bay of Islands up to Cape Rēinga, has a cluster of small-town and coastal clubs, with Kerikeri and Kaitaia the two strongest. Because so many Far North clubs sit in small settlements, several run short or seasonal hours, so it is always worth phoning ahead.

Kerikeri Bowling Club

Kerikeri Bowling Club, in the town centre, is one of the largest and most competitive clubs in the Far North. It has two internationally sized artificial (synthetic) greens — a surface that drains fast and lets play continue in weather that would close a grass green — and has reported in the region of 115 to 130 playing members in recent years. Its synthetic greens make it a reliable year-round option in the north.

Far North (Kaitaia) RSA Bowling Club

The Far North (Kaitaia) RSA Bowling Club was formed in 1953 and is based at 12 Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia, as a bowling arm of the local Returned and Services’ Association. It plays on one artificial green and is a mainstay of Far North Centre competition alongside Kerikeri.

Smaller Far North and coastal clubs

Beyond those two, the Far North has a scattering of friendly community clubs serving small towns and holiday areas. Clubs that appear in Far North Centre play and local records include Kaeo, Houhora, Coopers Beach, Waitangi (near Paihia in the Bay of Islands), Russell, Kawakawa and Opononi on the Hokianga. These clubs are often small and volunteer-run, so greens, bar hours and coaching availability vary — check the current directory before travelling.

Lawn bowls clubs around Whangārei

Whangārei, Northland’s only city, has the densest concentration of clubs in the region and is home to Bowls Northland itself. The main city clubs — Whangārei Bowling Club, Onerahi, Bowls Kensington and Kamo — offer a mix of natural grass and all-weather synthetic greens, and three of them have more than 100 members. Because the city clubs are covered in detail elsewhere, this guide keeps the Whangārei section short; for addresses, greens, membership and the city’s ten-pin option, see the dedicated guide to bowling in Whangārei.

Clubs on the city’s edges

Two clubs just outside the main city are easy to overlook. Maungatapere Bowling Club is a small, semi-rural club on State Highway 14 on the western outskirts of Whangārei, playing on a single natural green — a good example of a relaxed country club. South of the city, the Waipu Bowling Club at 4A South Road was established in 1920 and has around 90 members; it plays on two greens, one natural (a starweed grass surface) and one artificial, and markets itself on a warm welcome to newcomers.

Lawn bowls clubs in Kaipara

The Kaipara District, in Northland’s south-west around Dargaville and the Kaipara Harbour, has a handful of rural clubs with a strong community feel. These clubs tend to be smaller than the city and Far North clubs, and some lean heavily on social membership and twilight bowls to stay active.

Mamaranui Bowling Club

Mamaranui Bowling Club sits in the Kaihu Valley between Dargaville and the Waipoua Forest at 23 Mamaranui Road. It has operated for more than 70 years, plays on a single natural green, and was judged Northland’s Best Club in 2020 — a reminder that a small rural club can punch well above its size on community spirit.

Ruawai Bowling Club

Ruawai Bowling Club, at 2 Reeves Street about 30 km south of Dargaville, was established in 1939 and is one of the oldest institutions still running in the town. It has one natural green, a licensed bar and twilight bowls, and like many small clubs it now relies on a mix of playing and social members. Other Kaipara towns such as Dargaville, Maungaturoto and Paparoa have hosted bowling clubs historically; because small-town clubs open and close over time, confirm which are still active through the national Find a Club directory before planning a visit.

When is the lawn bowls season in Northland?

The main competitive lawn bowls season in New Zealand runs through the warmer months, roughly from October to around April, with most grass clubs holding an opening day in October. Northland’s warm, subtropical climate stretches this further than most regions: clubs with artificial greens, such as Kerikeri, can offer play effectively year-round because synthetic surfaces drain quickly and do not need the winter rest that grass greens do. Casual and social bowling — including twilight bowls on summer evenings — is common across the region from spring through autumn.

How much does it cost and what do you need to start?

Getting started in Northland is inexpensive, and most clubs will lend you everything for a first visit. A typical first session costs little or nothing: clubs run free or low-cost “come and try” days and will lend you a set of bowls, so you do not need to buy anything to begin. The main ongoing cost is annual membership, which varies by club but is modest compared with many sports; many clubs also offer cheaper social or non-playing memberships.

• Bowls: Clubs lend bowls to beginners; you only need your own set once you play regularly. For a sense of prices, see our guide to what lawn bowls cost in New Zealand.
• Footwear: Flat-soled, heel-free shoes are required on the green to protect the surface. Many “come and try” sessions let you play in flat trainers or bare feet.
• Clothing: For casual play, comfortable flat clothing is fine. Competitive and Centre events have dress codes, often club colours or whites.
• Membership: An annual fee set by each club, with reduced rates common for juniors, students and social members.

If you are completely new to the game, it helps to read up on how to play lawn bowls before your first roll-up so the terms and the aim of the game make sense.

How do you join a Northland lawn bowls club?

Joining is straightforward: pick a nearby club, contact it, and go along to a beginners’ session. The usual path is to find a local club through Bowls Northland or the national directory, attend a come-and-try or coaching session where experienced members teach the basics, play as a casual visitor for a while, and then take up membership once you are enjoying it. Most clubs actively want new members and will pair beginners with a coach or a buddy for the first few weeks.

1. Choose a club near your home or holiday base from the sections above or the national directory.
2. Make contact by phone, email or social media and ask about beginner or come-and-try sessions.
3. Turn up and play in flat shoes; the club will lend you bowls and show you the basics.
4. Join as a playing or social member when you are ready.

For a step-by-step walkthrough that applies anywhere in the country, see our guide on how to join a lawn bowls club. If you would rather try the game socially first, many clubs host barefoot bowls — a relaxed, casual version ideal for groups and first-timers.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake newcomers make is assuming a club is open and staffed all day, every day. Most Northland clubs, especially small rural and Far North ones, are volunteer-run and open only on set playing days or by arrangement, so turning up unannounced often means a locked gate. A few other things trip people up:

• Not phoning ahead. Opening hours and green availability vary widely; a quick call or message avoids a wasted trip.
• Wearing the wrong shoes. Heeled or ridged soles can damage a green and are not allowed; flat-soled shoes are the rule.
• Assuming you must own bowls. You do not — clubs lend them to beginners, so buy a set only once you play regularly.
• Mixing up the codes. Lawn bowls (outdoors, on a green, with biased bowls) is not ten-pin bowling (indoors, on a lane, with pins). Northland’s only full ten-pin venue is in Whangārei.
• Overlooking artificial-green clubs in winter. If you want to bowl outside the main season, head for a synthetic-green club such as Kerikeri rather than a grass-only club.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many lawn bowls clubs are there in Northland?

Northland has roughly two dozen affiliated lawn bowls clubs spread across the Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara districts, ranging from large city clubs with over 100 members to small rural clubs. Because small clubs open and close over time, Bowls Northland and the Bowls New Zealand Find a Club directory hold the current, authoritative list.

Which is the oldest lawn bowls club in Northland?

The Whangārei Bowling Club, founded in 1901, is Northland’s oldest bowling club. It also serves as the headquarters of Bowls Northland, the regional Centre, at 2 Second Avenue in Whangārei.

Can beginners join a lawn bowls club in Northland?

Yes. Northland clubs actively welcome beginners and most run free or low-cost come-and-try days where they lend you bowls and teach the basics. You do not need your own equipment or any experience to start; flat-soled shoes are the only real requirement.

Where can I play lawn bowls in the Far North?

The Far North’s main clubs are Kerikeri, with two all-weather synthetic greens, and the Far North (Kaitaia) RSA in Kaitaia. Smaller community clubs also play in and around Kaeo, Houhora, Coopers Beach, Waitangi, Russell, Kawakawa and Opononi.

Can you play lawn bowls year-round in Northland?

Largely, yes. The main competitive season runs from about October to April, but Northland’s warm climate and the artificial greens at clubs such as Kerikeri allow casual and social play through much of the year, well beyond the grass-green season of cooler regions.