Far from an expert on NZ league, but as I understand it the issue for South Island NZ is that there has never been a stand out submission whenever they have been called for. Plus the NZ broadcaster hasn't seemed very league interested, this year was the first time that the NRL Telstra Premiership and NRLW games were broadcast live in New Zealand.
"The ARLC and Sky NZ working closely alongside New Zealand Rugby League to co-invest in initiatives to grow rugby league."
State of Origin fixtures and a selection of premium NRL matches be available on free-to-air TV in New Zealand for the first time as a part of a new broadcast rights deal between the ARL Commission and Sky New Zealand.
www.nrl.com
Maybe the Kiwis on TK can fill in the gaps.
Always a Bulldog