2000 New Zealand rugby league season

Taranaki defended the Rugby League Cup by defeating Northland 28-22 on 3 September.[7]

The 2000 Bartercard Cup was the inaugural season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The competition was the first large scale attempt to replace the Lion Red Cup and involved eight Auckland Rugby League clubs and four regional teams. Eventual winners Canterbury were the only full provincial side in the competition. Waikato were the surprise omission.[8]

• Hibiscus Coast were coached by Brian McClennan and Tony Benson and included Aaron Heremaia, Scott Coxon and Anthony Seuseu.[9][10]
• Northcote were coached by Marty Rudolph and included Tony Tuimavave, Jamie Cook and Keneti Asiata.[11][12]
• Glenora, led by player-coach Duane Mann, included captain Steve Buckingham, Aaron Tucker, Wairangi Koopu and Gavin Bailey.[5][10][13]
• The Mt Albert Lions were coached by John Ackland and included Paul Staladi, Carl Doherty, Awen Guttenbeil, Ben Lythe and Peter Lewis.[10][14][15]
• Marist Richmond included Motu Tony, Jason Williams, Francis Meli and Lee Finnerty.[5][12][16][17]
• The Eastern Tornadoes included David and Paul Fisiiahi and Phillip Leuluai and were coached by James Leuluai.[5][13]
• Otahuhu, who also drew from Manukau and Mangere East, were led by player-coach Dean Clark in his first year as a senior grade coach.[18] The team included George Carmont, Clinton Toopi, Hare Te Rangi, captain Esau Mann, Solomon Kiri, Boycie Nelson, Jonathan Smith and George Tuakura.[19][20][21]
• The Manurewa Marlins included Channerith and Channerath Ly.[22]
• The Ngongotaha Chiefs included Doc Murray and Andrew Leota.[16]
• The Porirua Pumas were coached by Mike Kuiti and included Phil Bergman.[2][23]
• The Wainuiomata Lions included Billy Weepu, Paul Whatuira, Steve Berryman and David Faiumu.[10][13]
• The Canterbury Bulls were coached by Gerard Stokes and included Lusi Sione, Scott Nixon, Tangia Tongiia, Robert Henare, captain Maurice Emslie and Shane Beyers.[13][24]

This was the only year in the eight years of the competition that two sides from outside of Auckland made the playoffs. The two teams, the Cantebury Bulls and the Wainuiomata Lions, met in the Preliminary Final with Canterbury prevailing 36–6.

Canterbury won $50,000 prize money for winning, with Otahuhu receiving $30,000.[25] The curtain raiser was between New Zealand Students and Great Britain Students.

An Auckland side consisting of Fox Memorial players dominated the North Island Second Division competition, winning all six matches.[2] The team was coached by Del Hughes and included Tevita Latu. Auckland defeated Coastline, Wellington, Manawatu, Taranaki, Northland and Waikato.

A Mainland Super 10 competition was held between Canterbury Rugby League clubs and the South Island provincial teams. The teams involved included the Tasman Orcas (featuring coach Paul Bergman and player Phil Bergman), Otago Storm, the West Coast Chargers and from Canterbury: the Haswell Hornets (who included Mike Dorreen, Glenn Coughlan and Aaron Whittaker), Hornby Panthers (including Corey Lawrie), Eastern Sea Eagles, Papanui Tigers, Sydenham Swans, Riccarton Knights and Linwood Kews.[27][28][29]

Team Mainland Super 10 "dream team" was: Warren Donaldson (West Coast), Eddie Hei Hei (Papanui), Joe Fatuleai (Eastern), Clinton Fraser (Tasman), Linkoln Newson (Hornby), Phil Bergman (Tasman), Aaron Whittaker (Halswell), Danny Champion (Halswell), Leon Stone (Papanui), Vince Whare (Riccarton), Riki Ashwell (Otago), Tim Sione (Hornby), Brad Williams (Halswell).[30]

Tasman and Hornby made the final after they defeated Easts 51-36 and Halswell 20-14 respectively.[30] Tasman won the inaugural season's championship by defeating Horby 20–0 in the Grand Final.[31][32]

The Otahuhu Leopards won the Fox Memorial, despite also fielding a Bartercard Cup side.[25] They defeated Richmond 21–14 in the grand final.[2] Richmond won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). Richmond included Tevita Latu and Daniel Vasau, who won the Best and Fairest award.[2]

The Wellington City Council announces that Rugby League Park will be shared by the Wellington Rugby League and the Wellington Rugby Union, following the sale of Athletic Park.[33][34]

Halswell won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Turangawaewae won the 2000 Waikato Rugby League competition, defeating the Hamilton City Tigers.[35][36]

The Waitara Bears defeated Marist 24–12 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.[37]