Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the global leader of Asian sauces and condiments for over 135 years, proudly announces its official sponsorship of the ANZ Premiership, bringing its signature flavour to the country’s elite netball league. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting local communities and celebrating Aotearoa New Zealand’s sporting culture.
Withstanding the early pressure, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have consolidated their spot at the top of the ANZ Premiership with a convincing 13-goal win over Waikato Bay of Plenty Avis Magic.
Round 5 of the 2026 ANZ Premiership sees important mid-season momentum on the line across the weekend’s three matches.
With two veterans playing their part in a game for the ages, Stars Netball produced a stirring second half to inflict a decisive 56-39 win over Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Auckland on Sunday.
Based out of Hamilton and Tauranga, the Magic were formed in 1998 and represent the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions. The oldest of the six New Zealand franchise teams, the Magic were formed following the merger of the Waikato Wildcats and Bay of Plenty Magic.
Both teams had been founder members of the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league and played their first season as a joint force in the 1999 season. They have been a permanent fixture ever since while taking their place in the subsequent ANZ Championship and ANZ Premiership leagues. The Magic are the only team from the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup era to have retained their original name.
During the National Bank Cup era, Magic were title winners in 2005 and 2006. In the ANZ Championship years – 2008 – 2016 – Magic were the most successful New Zealand team, including being grand finalists on three occasions. In 2012, they became the only New Zealand team to win the ANZ Championship title.
Dame Noeline Taurua was the first Magic coach when the game went semi-professional in 2008 (ANZ Championship) and Amigene Metcalfe was the team’s first player.
With an alternate playing strip of red in previous seasons, the Magic have more recently played in black. Home venues for the Magic are, Trustpower Baypark Arena, in Tauranga, Globox Arena, In Hamilton and Energy Events Centre, in Rotorua.
