It is based in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand (excluding Auckland). The domestic competition is made up of the Plunket Shield - first class four day cricket, Men's One Day - limited overs cricket and the shop window - HRV Cup which is the Twenty20 competition. Previously it has competed in the Plunket Shield first class competition, the Ford Trophy domestic one day competition and the HRV Cup. Northern Districts, the last of the six current teams to attain first-class status, joined the Plunket Shield competition in 1956-57.