In December 2021, a new women's national basketball league was established for 2022 with five new franchises. The league's name
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa was announced in March 2022, with Tauihi meaning "to soar" and Aotearoa meaning New Zealand in
Māori language. The inaugural teams included Northern Kāhu,
Mid-North Whai,
Tokomanawa Queens, Mainland Pouākai, and
Southern Hoiho. The Queens were crowned the inaugural champions. All five inaugural franchises continued for the league's second season in 2023. The Kāhu were crowned the 2023 champions. In April 2024, the league announced a new season window of October to December and that international expansion was being explored. Increased player payments was also implemented in order to attract top women's players from around the world. The Whai were crowned the 2024 champions. For the 2025 season, there had been a planned introduction of the
Indian Panthers to the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, but following the collapse of the franchise in the men's NBL, the women's Panthers were also abolished. The Whai went on to win the 2025 championship to earn back-to-back titles. ==Current clubs==