The Devon Hotel Taranaki Men’s Open Fours Post Section Draw 2026 is live.
We have changed Conditions of Play because of forecasted rain for post section play on Friday and Saturday and with the large numbers of qualifiers.
Post Section play on Friday will be 3 rounds of 18 ends.
We understand that players want to play 25 ends, however we feel it necessary to ensure the completion of the tournament, and with weather interruptions there could be a chance that the tournament is further delayed by rain.
The Devon Hotel Taranaki Men’s Open Fours 2026
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZkLV4Qh_vZv5j-vjcqtQJdm-ZRqOAWWjDo23LNpVha8/edit?gid=2081290653#gid=2081290653
Marbles Restaurant Open Fours Pairs Draw
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZkLV4Qh_vZv5j-vjcqtQJdm-ZRqOAWWjDo23LNpVha8/edit?gid=1616829723#gid=1616829723
Thank you for your patience during this wet weather.
Lawn Bowls
At this stage, the weather is settled, so play is expected to start on time.
Here is today’s newsletter:
2.00pm 21/01/2026 – Day 3 Weather Update: Heavy Rain in New Plymouth has flooded greens. Afternoon Play has been abandoned. Round 4 & 5 will be played tomorrow at your scheduled day 4 venues. It is now 3 wins out of 5 to qualify. All Thursday morning games must be played.
The wind has arrived to help keep the rain at bay, although we are still expecting some moisture. Players are required to report as scheduled by 9am to day three venues. The belief at this stage is that all venues will start on time.
In the meantime, below is today’s newsletter:
Click here for day two’s newsletter:
20/01/2026 Weather Update
7:00am – Light Rain, all players please report to their venues.
8.30am – Play has been delayed until 10am, conditions will be assessed between then.
10.00am – Play has been delayed.
12.30am – Play has been abandoned for the day. 9.00am Start tomorrow at your Day 3 venue.
Welcome to the 121st Devon Hotel Taranaki men’s Open fours. For day one’s newsletter click here:
For any team travelling to Stratford-Avon, please note that Regan Street will be closed for road maintenance from Monday 19th January – Friday 23rd January.
Please use the alternative entrance for Stratford-Avon (to the back green) from Hamlet Street. Parking is available, lookout for the sign posted ‘Stratford-Avon Bowling Club’ at 29 Hamlet Street.
It took three attempts from New Zealand bowls coach Michael Kernaghan before Rahotu’s Camron Horo decided to answer his telephone late on the evening of January 13.
Thankfully, Kernaghan had enough resolve to keep trying and thankfully Horo eventually plucked up enough courage to answer the call from a number unknown to him.
Horo was half-asleep, which partly explained why he couldn’t believe the news: he had been selected to represent the Black Jacks at the Nations Cup in Kaula Lumpur on February 15-18.
It means that Horo, aged just 20 years, will become a full-international, following a rapid rise in recent seasons.
New Zealand are sending six men and three women to the event, in what many are considering is the final trial before the side for the Commonwealth Games, which commences on July 23 in Glasgow, is selected. Three men and three women will make that trip, plus Para players, which will almost certainly include Oakura’s Kurt Smith.
“I couldn’t sleep afterwards,” Horo, who is in his eighth season of bowls, said. “I’m pretty stoked. It is very unexpected. I didn’t think it would happen this quick.”
Horo will lead in the pairs in the New Zealand Silver side for Australian-based Ali Forsyth. Shannon McIlroy, New Zealand’s singles player at the past three Commonwealth Games, will play the four-bowl discipline.
In the Black team, Aiden Takarua plays with the singles, with Tony Grantham and Keanu Darby the pair.
The New Zealand women’s team predictably contains established internationals Tayla Bruce, Selina Goddard and Katelyn Inch.
Horo, who splits his time between the Rahotu and Paritutu clubs, has collated an impressive CV in his relatively short tenure in bowls. He has four Taranaki titles, including last year’s open singles, has represented New Zealand Maori side at the 2024 Oceania Challenge, has won back-to-back New Zealand under-21 titles, and then performed with distinction at the world indoor championships in Ireland late last year.
There he won the mixed pairs with Briar Atkinson and narrowly lost the semifinals in the men’s singles. He was also Taranaki’s best-performed player at the recent Dominion in Christchurch, making the quarterfinals of the singles.
Horo becomes the 119th man capped for New Zealand and the eighth to achieve the feat while affiliated to Taranaki. The others have been Edward Leach (cap 4), Bill MacArthur (49), Dave Baldwin (51), John Murtagh (60), Jim Christie (68), Maurice Symes (71) and Brian Baldwin (86).
Work commitments means that Horo is not taking part in this week’s Open fours.
Sports News Taranaki – Grant Hassall
https://sportsnewstaranaki.co.nz/news-article?id=2014&fbclid=IwY2xjawPaNPJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyN3VvRUdiQzN2NUNGaFNMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHie1P_s1AlZQ71gJSttem0tbtNRqXALy3tZVcB5vOMPkRxDiVdfwRgK-J0V4_aem_-kS1G41uiYPzhmBC6XGwwQ
Travel Update: 14th January 2026
Please note that State Highway 3 near Ahititi and Uruti will be closed in the lead up to The Devon Hotel Taranaki Men’s Open Fours. For more information please check NZTA: https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh3-mangapepeke-culvert-replacement
For teams taking the scenic route via SH43 (Through Stratford and The Forgotten Highway) to New Plymouth expect some extra travel time.
From Bay of Plenty/Rotorua – allow 1hr extra
From Auckland – allow 1hr 50min extra
(Travel times according to Google)
Please be aware that there is no petrol available between Taumarunui and Stratford.
The Whangamomona Bar and Hotel has been contacted and they will be open for Food and Hospitality Saturday and Sunday. For more information and opening hours visit: https://whangamomonahotel.co.nz/