From nail-biting deciders to dominant displays, the Finals delivered on every front - capping off another successful year for the NZ Tour.

Mixed Doubles

The mixed doubles final set the tone for what was to be a thrilling day of Finals. Adam Jeffrey (AK) and Laura Lin (AK) edged North Harbour’s Dylan Soedjasa and Justine Villegas 21-19, 22-20 in a match of outstanding quality. With both pairs exchanging leads and refusing to give an inch, the packed crowd was treated to one of the best spectacles of the weekend.

Soedjasa and Villegas had earlier survived a three-game semi-final battle against Harbour compatriots Markis Tew and Natalie Ting, while Jeffrey and Lin had stunned second seeds Vincent Tao and Alyssa Tagle in their semi-final.

Women’s Singles

In an all–North Harbour final, Yanxi Liu emerged champion, overcoming Josephine Zhao 21-17, 21-10. Liu’s consistency and court coverage proved decisive, capping off a strong tournament where she also defeated Auckland’s Coco Zhu in straight games in the semi-final.

Liu and Zhao had faced off earlier in pool play, with Liu making a dramatic comeback to win 9 consecutive points in the third game, defeating Zhao 21-17, 10-21, 21-19. This result pushed Zhao into a tough semi-final against top seed Jenny Zhu, however Zhao emerged victorious to set up the thrilling rematch.

Men’s Singles

Auckland’s Daniel McMillan claimed the men’s singles crown after a gritty three-game final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie. After dropping the first game 14-21, McMillan rallied with precise attacking play to secure the next two 21-15, 21-19.

Benzie had earlier impressed with a hard-fought semi-final win over Wellington North’s Bevan Cox, while McMillan was clinical in dispatching Hawke’s Bay’s Lezhi Zhu in the other semi-final. Earlier in pool play, standout performances included Wellington’s Toby Smith saving multiple match points to edge teammate Alexander Coumbe 22-20 in one of the weekend’s most dramatic encounters.

Women’s Doubles

Auckland–North Harbour duo Laura Lin and Anona Pak were untouchable in the women’s doubles, storming to the title with a 21-9, 21-10 victory over Harbour’s Yanxi Liu and Natalie Ting in the final.

Lin and Pak had been in dominant form all weekend, recording straight-game wins throughout the tournament. Liu and Ting themselves were impressive semi-final winners over Camellia Zhou and Jenny Zhu, but found Lin and Pak too strong in the title clash.

Men’s Doubles

The men’s doubles final saw a dynamic mix of flair and power as Raphael Chris Deloy (WKO) and Adam Jeffrey (AK) combined superbly to defeat Jack Wang (CM) and Lezhi Zhu (HB) 21-12, 21-18.

Deloy and Jeffrey had battled back from a game down in their semi-final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie and Ricky Cheng, eventually turning the match with sharp net play and aggressive attack. Wang and Zhu also showed great resilience, clawing past Harbour pairing Dylan Soedjasa and Vincent Tao in a thrilling three-game semi-final that went down to the wire at 21-19 in the decider.

A Celebration of the NZ Tour

This year’s NZ Tour Finals once again reinforced the value of the Tour as a platform for competitive development and nationwide engagement. Players from all over New Zealand contributed to a vibrant and competitive environment throughout the season, with a fantastic mix of regional talent progressing into the Finals.

Badminton New Zealand extends its sincere thanks to the technical officials whose expertise ensured smooth and fair play throughout the Finals, and to all the regional hosts of Tour events whose efforts made this national series possible. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of Auckland Council and the Albert-Eden Local Board.

With the Tour Finals now complete, badminton fans can reflect on a season of outstanding performances, new rivalries, and a clear sign that the sport’s future in New Zealand is bright.

Event photos are now available via our online store.

Two different groups will travel across the globe, one to Saipan, Northern Marianas, and the other to Thailand, to compete in a series of international tournaments. These events offer valuable world ranking points, exposure to high-level competition, and a key opportunity for player development.

For many of these athletes, the opportunity to compete internationally marks an important step forward in their development. Whether building on recent momentum or gaining vital experience, stepping outside of New Zealand to face global competition is a valuable part of their growth as elite players.

Edward Lau and Shaunna Li will be a pair to watch at the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open, entering the tournament as top seeds in the Mixed Doubles event. Meanwhile, exciting new combinations are set to make their international debut in the Men's Doubles where 2025 Oceania Junior Champion - Raphael Deloy will partner up with 2025 Oceania Men's Doubles Champion - Adam Jeffrey. Both pairs have just clinched National Championship titles over the weekend and we look forward to see how they perform at Saipan.

In Thailand, a new mixed doubles combination will also debut at the Toyota Thailand International Series featuring Justine Villegas (North Harbour) who will partner with 2025 Oceania Men's Doubles Champion - Dylan Soedjasa. Justine Villegas will also be partnering Jenny Zhu in Women's Doubles for both Thailand tournaments.

Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025
August 5–10 - Saipan, Northern Marianas

• Men's Singles: Edward Lau (North Harbour)
• Women's Singles: Shaunna Li (North Harbour)
• Mixed Doubles: Edward Lau and Shaunna Li (North Harbour)
• Men's Doubles: Raphael Deloy (Waikato) and Adam Jeffrey (Auckland)

Toyota Thailand International Series 2025
August 5–10 - Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

• Women's Singles: Jenny Zhu (North Harbour)
• Mixed Doubles: Dylan Soedjasa and Justine Villegas(North Harbour)
• Women's Doubles: Justine Villegas and Jenny Zhu (North Harbour)

Century Insurance Saipan International 2025
August 12-16 - Saipan, Northern Marianas

• Men's Singles: Edward Lau (North Harbour)
• Women's Singles: Shaunna Li (North Harbour)
• Mixed Doubles: Edward Lau and Shaunna Li (North Harbour)
• Men's Doubles: Raphael Deloy (Waikato) and Adam Jeffrey (Auckland)

Toyota Thailand International Challenge 2025
August 12–17 - Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

• Women's Singles: Jenny Zhu (North Harbour)
• Mixed Doubles: Dylan Soedjasa and Justine Villegas(North Harbour)
• Women's Doubles: Justine Villegas and Jenny Zhu (North Harbour)
• Men's Doubles: Dylan Soedjasa (North Harbour) and Andika Ramadiansyah (Australia)

These international appearances reinforce the importance of giving our players exposure to different playing styles, high-pressure environments, and world-class opponents. We’re excited to see how each of them rises to the challenge and proud to support them as they represent New Zealand overseas.

Stay tuned to Badminton New Zealand's social pages for exclusive updates with the team.