Tauihi is back! As we hit T4 (Tauihi Season 4), here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 season.
We’re once again playing G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi in the summer window, the home of the best women's professional basketball in Aotearoa, but this year with a slightly earlier start and finish.
Season length: 12 weeks
Tip-off: September 26
Grand Final: Sunday, December 14 and will be hosted by the highest remaining seed
By tipping off a week earlier, Tauihi ensures all eyes are on our stars as they chase the title, just in time to deliver a little holiday cheer.
That’s right! We're back to FIBA rules.
Players will foul out after five fouls in both Tauihi and Rapid League
Coaches will be tested with tighter substitution strategies, so watch how this impacts early-season tactics
Each team can sign up to five imports, just as in 2024
If a team carries more than three imports, two must come from the FIBA Asia region (which includes Australia)
As with last season, at least one Kiwi player must be on the court at all times.
Teams can still sign amateurs, many of whom are building toward U.S. college careers.
Roster size: up to 15 players
Paid agreements: minimum 9, maximum 12 — all within the salary cap
The Sky Broadband Rapid League is back, once again providing a proving ground for emerging Kiwi stars, balanced with the nous of veteran contributors.
Eligibility: NZ-qualified players plus up to two FIBA Asia players can suit up
Any other internationals cannot play in Rapid League
As always, only bench players take part
For the second season running:
All points for and against count toward the Tauihi ladder
Just like in the Sal’s NBL, every basket matters and one shot could determine a team’s post-season fate
Yes, they’re back!
Introduced in Tauihi’s inaugural season and later adopted in the Sal’s NBL
Expect more dramatic late-game and quarter-end scenarios
Fans won’t miss a moment:
Sky Sport (NZ) - every game live
FIBA YouTube - global broadcast
ESPN3 – every game live in the U.S. (second season running)
Sky Open - the Grand Final on free-to-air TV
One Tauihi game per week (Sundays, 3pm) will stream live on @skysportnz TikTok
Expect behind-the-scenes access and special interactions exclusive to the live stream
