The 2026 DPNZ Tour season exploded into action in Wellington, with Kayden Milne and Ben Robb claiming the first two titles. Over 120 top New Zealand darts players competed, setting the stage for an exciting year. Milne, 25, dominated the first event, defeating former PDC tour card holder Haupai Puha 7-2 in the final. The following day, ‘Big Rig’ Ben Robb showcased his class, overcoming PDC World Championship participant Jonny Tata with another convincing 7-2 victory. These early wins put Milne and Robb in strong contention, though Jonny Tata currently leads the overall standings thanks to consistent performances. The ultimate prize? A coveted spot at the PDC World Championship for the season’s top player.
New Zealand’s Darts Elite Converge in Wellington
The highly anticipated 2026 DPNZ Tour season began with a bang in Wellington, attracting a formidable field of over 120 participants. The opening weekend promised fierce competition, drawing in many of New Zealand’s top darts talents. Household names like Ben Robb, Jonny Tata, Haupai Puha, Kayden Milne, and Mark Cleaver were all in attendance, eager to make their mark on the new season.
Milne Claims First Title with Dominant Performance
The first championship of the new season went to the impressive 25-year-old Kayden Milne. Milne showed remarkable consistency from the outset, winning four of his five group stage matches to comfortably secure a spot in the knockout rounds. His journey to the final included significant victories over strong opponents:
- Quarter-final: Defeated Mark Cleaver 4-0
- Semi-final: Overcame Jonny Tata 6-4
In the final, Milne faced Haupai Puha, a player who previously held a PDC tour card. Puha had reached the final by defeating Caleb Hope 6-4 in his semi-final clash. However, the final belonged to Milne. Puha struggled significantly with his doubles, while Milne’s finishing was clinical and precise. With crucial checkouts of 81 and 140, Milne secured a convincing 7-2 victory, marking an emphatic start to his season.
Robb Shines on Sunday to Secure Event Two Crown
Sunday saw another New Zealand darting powerhouse, Ben Robb, known as ‘Big Rig,’ triumph in Wellington. Robb navigated his group stage flawlessly, winning all four matches, though two required a deciding leg, hinting at the competitive level. Once in the knockout phase, Robb elevated his game, consistently posting averages above 90. His path to the final included strong performances:
- Quarter-final: Dominant 5-0 win over Jack Sheppard
- Semi-final: Beat Darren Herewini 6-4 in a tough encounter
The final pitted Robb against Jonny Tata, a player fresh from competing at the PDC World Championship last December. Tata had earned his spot in the final by defeating Mark Cleaver in his semi-final. The final started tightly, with the first four legs going with the throw. However, Robb then shifted gears, winning five consecutive legs to seal a commanding 7-2 victory, mirroring Milne’s winning margin from the previous day.
DPNZ Tour 2026: Opening Weekend Results
DPNZ Tour Event 1 – Saturday
Quarter-finals:
- Jonny Tata 5-3 Tukina Weko
- Kayden Milne 5-1 Terry Jowett
- Caleb Hope 5-0 Alex Jessop
- Haupai Puha 5-4 Josh Roberts
Semi-finals:
- Kayden Milne 6-4 Jonny Tata
- Haupai Puha 6-4 Caleb Hope
DPNZ Tour Event 2 – Sunday
Quarter-finals:
- Jonny Tata 5-0 Haunui Hira
- Mark Cleaver 5-1 Alan Skayman
- Ben Robb 5-0 Jack Sheppard
- Darren Herewini 5-4 Haupai Puha
Semi-finals:
- Jonny Tata 6-1 Mark Cleaver
- Ben Robb 6-4 Darren Herewini
The Race to the PDC World Championship Begins
After the first two of twelve tournaments, the overall DPNZ Tour standings are shaping up. Jonny Tata currently leads the ranking, a testament to his consistent performance with both a semi-final and a final appearance over the weekend. He is closely followed by event winners Ben Robb and Kayden Milne. The stakes are high, as the player finishing number one in the overall standings after all twelve tournaments will earn a coveted spot at the prestigious PDC World Championship. The battle for supremacy in New Zealand darts has only just begun!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
