The 2016–17 Plunket Shield was the 88th season of official first-class cricket in New Zealand. The competition started on 22 October 2016, and ran to 1 April 2017.[1] The round seven fixtures that started in early March 2017, were played as day/night matches.[2][3] These were in preparation for a possible day/night Test match between New Zealand and England, scheduled to take place in March 2018.[4] Despite some concerns about the visibility of the pink ball while catching, the matches received positive feedback.[5]
In the first round of matches, Michael Papps playing for Wellington, became the first player to score 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield.[6] The start of the round four fixture between Wellington and Central Districts was delayed because of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck New Zealand on 14 November 2016.[7] It was later abandoned because of frequent aftershocks in the area.[8]
Canterbury won the tournament, their 19th title in the competition, and their third win in the last four years.[9]