1979 National Provincial Championship

As the bottom-placed North Island team, Taranaki were automatically relegated.

Division Two North winner Hawkes Bay were promoted to Division One.

Otago faced Division Two South winner Marlborough, defeating them 15–13 to remain in Division One.

Division 2 North (in order of final placing)

• Hawke's Bay
• Waikato
• Poverty Bay
• Wanganui
• Horowhenua
• Thames Valley
• King Country
• Wairarapa Bush
• East Coast

Division 2 South (in order of final placing)

• Marlborough
• Mid Canterbury
• Buller
• Nelson Bays
• North Otago
• West Coast

North Auckland began the season as holders having defeated Manawatu the season before. They defended the Shield in five matches before being defeated by Auckland. Auckland then successfully defended against Counties in the final match of the season that pitted the shield holders against the national champions.

North Auckland

• beat King Country 21–6
• beat Thames Valley 35–6
• beat Marlborough 29–6
• beat South Canterbury 20–12
• beat Taranaki 23–11
• lost to Auckland 3–9

Auckland

• beat Counties 11–9