In New Zealand the game of Draughts began officially in 1896, when the first National Championship was held at Wanganui. The winner was J.Boreham, who, like all the leading players of those days, had learnt the game overseas.

Following this tournament New Zealanders took a growing interest in the game. Clubs were formed and tournaments were held regularly in different parts of the country. For several years the titles were won by new immigrants. Most of the leading players were in Otago, and the National Executive was formed there. All the main centres had Draughts Clubs. The tournaments were run on a "2 move" restriction. (now it is '"3move" ).
Some of personalities of the game in this country include D. Calderwood, who learnt the game in Scotland, and won the national title 9 times and the Australasian title once. In his day he was classed as one of the world's leading players. Others include W.Penman winner of NZ title and Australian title, J.Dowie of Christchurh and D. Lowry of Wellington, both of whom have won the National title 3 times. And A.S. Noonan, formerly secretary of the NZ Draughts Association (NZDA ), and Walter O'Malley President of the NZ Draughts Association ( NZDA ) from Christchurch.
The NZDA was due to falling participants, wound up in the late 60's. But the game was kept alive by the smaller Christchurch club. And Every year they have had a tournament. Now the NZDA has been restarted, and hope to encourage more players to the game.

New Zealand Champions:

1896...J.A.Boreham
1897...J.A.Boreham
1898...D.A.Brodie
1899...D.A.Brodie
1901...J.Gardiner
1902...No Contest
1903...J.A.Lucas
1904...J.Gardiner
1905--7.No Contest
1908...F.E.Hilliker
1909...J.A.Boreham
1910...W.Penman
1911...W.Penman
1912...F.E.Hilliker
1913...J.Gardiner
1914...D.Calderwood
1915...D.Calderwood
1916--19..No Contest
1920...D.Calderwood
1921...J.A.Boreham
1922...J.A.Lucas
1923...J.A.Scott
1924...G.A.Brown
1925...D.Calderwood
1926...G.A.Brown
1927...J.Gardiner
1928...G.A.Brown
1929...D.Calderwood
1930...D.Calderwood
1931--33.No Contest
1934...G.A.Brown
1935...G.A.Brown
1936...R.Weir
1937...R.Weir
1938...G.A.Brown
1939...No Contest
1940...J.Gardiner
1941--43.No Contest
1944...J.Gardiner
1945...W.Davis
1946...D.Calderwood
1947...D.Calderwood
1948...M.Hare
1949...J.Mulvey
1950...W.O'Malley
1951...W.Davis
1952...J.Dowie
1953...D.S.Lowry
1954...D.S.Lowry
1955...T.Gilhooly
1956...J.Dowie
1957...B.Tenenbaum
1958...B.Tenenbaum
1959...D.S.Lowry
1960...W.O'Malley
1961...D.Calderwood
1962...J.Dowie
1963...M.Hare
1964...C.Johnstone
1965...A.D.Hrstich
1966...W.O'Malley
1967...A.D.Hrstich
1968...J.Dowie
1969...A.D.Hrstich
1970...J.Dowie
1971...G.Peach
1972...J.Dowie
1973...A.L.Noonan
1974...G.Peach
1975...R.Dixon
1976...A.D.Hrstich
1977...A.D.Hrstich
1978...R.Dixon
1979...G.Peach
1980...J.Dowie
1981...A.D.Hrstich
1982...G.Peach
1983...J.VanNieuwkerk
1984...A.D.Hrstich
1985...J.VanNieuwkerk
1986...R.Dixon
1987...J.VanNieuwkerk
1988...J.VanNieuwkerk
1989...J.VanNieuwkerk
1990...R.Dixon
1991...R.Dixon
1992...J.VanNieuwkerk
1993...J.VanNieuwkerk
1994...J.VanNieuwkerk
1995...J.VanNieuwkerk
1996...J.VanNieuwkerk
1997...R.Dixon
1998...A.Ward
1999...J.VanNieuwkerk
2000...J.VanNieuwkerk
2001...J.VanNieuwkerk
2002...J.VanNieuwkerk
2003...R.Dixon
2004...R.Dixon
2005...J.VanNieuwkerk
2006...No Contest
2007...I.Narbey