Stephen Bunting, the tournament’s most prominent name on day one of the New Zealand Darts Masters, suffered an early exit after being outplayed by Australia’s Raymond Smith in the round of 16 held in Auckland. Smith dominated the match, racing to a 6-2 win by stringing together five consecutive legs without reply. He posted a solid average of 99.81 and hit 86% of his doubles, capping the performance with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye. "It feels pretty awesome," Smith said after the victory.
"It’s been eight years since I last stepped onto a PDC stage, so I’m really excited about this." He went on to credit the growing strength of the Oceanic darts scene, noting that the collaborative efforts of the Australian Darts Association (ADA), Darts Players New Zealand (DPNZ), and the ANZ Premier League have created a pathway for players like him to compete at the highest level. "What the PDC is investing in the Oceanic region is showing in the results," he added. Smith’s win earns him a quarter‑final clash with fellow Australian Adam Leek, who survived six match darts against Ross Smith before clinching a dramatic last‑leg decider in his World Series of Darts debut. The Australian‑versus‑Australian encounter promises to be a showcase of the region’s rising talent.
In other last‑16 action, top seed Gian van Veen rolled over New Zealand’s World Cup representative Jonny Tata with a 6‑1 rout, posting an average north of 97. Van Veen’s next opponent will be 2022 runner‑up Jonny Clayton, who recovered from a 4‑2 deficit to defeat home favourite Haupai Puha and secure his place in the quarter‑finals.
The schedule also highlighted the continued presence of former world champion Gerwyn Price, who breezed past Mark Cleaver 6‑1 to set up a quarter‑final meeting with Damon Heta. Heta, in turn, produced a five‑leg surge on the spin to overturn a deficit and defeat Ben Robb, earning his own spot in the last eight. The quarter‑final line‑up therefore features: - Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton - James Wade vs Josh Rock (both having dispatched Simon Whitlock and Kayden Milne respectively) - Gerwyn Price vs Damon Heta - Raymond Smith vs Adam Leek The semi‑finals will be decided in a best‑of‑13‑legs format, with the final slated for a best‑of‑15‑legs showdown, though the exact match‑ups remain to be determined. Beyond the immediate results, the New Zealand Darts Masters continues to underline the expanding footprint of professional darts in the Southern Hemisphere.
The event, part of the World Series of Darts, provides local players with exposure to the PDC’s elite competition while offering fans a chance to see world‑class talent up close. The tournament’s partnership with Sky Sports ensures live broadcast coverage, and viewers can also stream the action through the NOW platform, which bundles darts with a broader range of sports content. For those looking to stay connected to the sport beyond the matches, the "Love the Darts" podcast offers analysis, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories from the circuit. Highlights and full‑match replays are regularly uploaded to the official darts channel, giving fans the opportunity to relive key moments such as Smith’s 124 bullseye finish or van Veen’s clinical dismantling of Tata.
Looking ahead, darts fans can mark their calendars for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, which returns to Sky Sports from September 28 to October 4. The tournament will see Luke Littler defend his title, adding another chapter to the sport’s growing calendar of high‑profile events. Overall, the New Zealand Darts Masters has delivered a blend of surprise upsets, dominant performances, and a clear indication that the Oceanic region is becoming a fertile ground for future darts stars. With players like Raymond Smith proving they can compete with, and beat, established PDC names, the next few years promise even more exciting match‑ups and a deeper talent pool emerging from Australia and New Zealand.