Each Province as defined may be represented by one boat only. The Province eligible to compete in the contest are those as laid down for the Rugby Union competition within New Zealand. The Provincial colours of the Union team also apply. Letters indicating the Province on it’s representative boats mainsail and ribbons depicting the district, boat, and crew in Provincial colours have long been a tradition in the Sanders Memorial Cup contest. Districts representing should endeavour to continue these traditions.
| Auckland | A | Blue / White | |
| Bay of Plenty | BOP | Gold / Blue | |
| Buller | B | Blue / Red / White | |
| Canterbury | C | Scarlet Red / Black | |
| Counties Manukau | CM | Red / Black / White | |
| East Coast | EC | Sky Blue / White | |
| Hawkes Bay | HB | Black / White | |
| Horowhenua Kapiti | HK | Red / White / Blue | |
| King Country | KC | Gold / Maroon | |
| Manawatu | M | Green / White | |
| Marlborough | MB | Red / White | |
| Mid Canterbury | MC | Green / Gold / White | |
| Nelson Bays | NB | Royal Blue / White | |
| North Harbour | NH | White / Black / Red | |
| North Otago | NO | Gold / Red | |
| Northland | N | Blue / White | |
| Otago | O | Navy Blue / Gold | |
| Poverty Bay | PB | Scarlet Red / White | |
| South Canterbury | SC | Green / Black | |
| Southland | S | Gold / Maroon | |
| Taranaki | T | Amber / Black | |
| Thames Valley | TV | Gold / Red | |
| Waikato | WK | Red / Yellow / Black | |
| Wairarapa Bush | WB | Turquoise Green / Red | |
| Wanganui | WG | Black / Blue / White | |
| Wellington | W | Black / Gold | |
| West Coast | WC | Red / White |
NZ Rugby Union – Provincial Map
