The 2023 NRFL Leagues was the 59th and 57th seasons respectively of the NRFL Championship and NRFL Conference, football competitions in New Zealand. Established in 1965, currently twelve teams compete in the Championship while 8 teams compete in the Northern and Southern sections of the Conference League.

Northern League

The Northern League sits above the two NRFL Divisions and is also overseen by Northern Region Football, despite being run by New Zealand Football as part of the New Zealand National League.

2023 NRFL Leagues

Twelve teams competed in the league – the top ten teams from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the 2022 NRFL Division 1. The promoted teams are West Coast Rangers and Manurewa. This was both Manurewa's first season in the Northern League. West Coast have returned at the first time of asking after being relegated in 2021. They replaced Waiheke United (one season) and North Shore United (two seasons).

2023 NRFL Leagues

Northern League table

Championship

Each team can field a maximum of five foreign players as well as one additional foreign player who has Oceania Football Confederation nationality. Over the course of the season, each team must also ensure players aged 20 or under account for 7% of available playing minutes.

2023 NRFL Leagues

Following their 7–1 win over Mount Albert-Ponsonby on the final day, Tauranga City were crowned champions. They were promoted alongside East Coast Bays a week earlier.

Championship teams

Twelve teams competed in the league – eight teams from the previous season, the two teams relegated from the 2022 Northern League and two teams promoted from the 2022 NRFL Division 2. The relegated teams were Waiheke United and North Shore United, while the promoted teams are Hibiscus Coast and Ngaruawahia United. West Coast Rangers were promoted alongside Manurewa, while Albany United and Waitemata were relegated.

Championship personnel and kits

Championship table

Metro won 3–0 against Northern Rovers, but Metro fielded an ineligible player. Result upgraded to a 3–0 win for Northern Rovers. Metro drew 1–1 with Onehunga-Mangere United, but Metro fielded an ineligible player. Result upgraded to a 3–0 win for Onehunga-Mangere.

Championship results table

Championship scoring

Championship top scorers

Northern Conference

Northern Conference teams

Nine teams are competing in the league – the top six northern teams from Division 2 last season, the two teams relegated from the 2022 NRFL Division 1 and the champions of the 2022 NRF Championship. The relegated teams are Albany United and Waitemata. Originally, although Central United won the 2022 NRF Championship, they were unable to be promoted due to their MoU with Auckland City. As a result, Oratia United were reprieved of relegation. However, after Central United successfully appealed to the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand, they were entered into the competition three weeks after it commenced. As a result NRF decided the league would restart, voiding all previously played matches.

Northern Conference table

Northern Conference results table

Round 1

Albany United 3–0 Waitemata

Bucklands Beach 2–1 Northland

Franklin United 1–2 Beachlands Maraetai

Oratia United 0–4 West Auckland

Round 2

Beachlands Maraetai 2–2 Albany United

Oratia United 0–1 Franklin United

Waitemata 1–1 Bucklands Beach

West Auckland 2–0 Northland

Round 3

Albany United 3–1 Oratia United

Bucklands Beach 3–1 Beachlands Maraetai

Franklin United 1–0 West Auckland

Northland 1–1 Waitemata

Southern Conference

Southern Conference teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – the top two southern teams from Division 2 last season, and the top 6 from the 2022 WaiBOP Premiership.

Southern Conference table

Southern Conference results table

Conference play-offs

References

NRFL Championship

NRFL Conference

2022–23 in New Zealand association football

New Zealand