The Spark Arena in Auckland crackled with energy on Friday night as the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters burst into life, and two Australians wrote themselves into the story with performances that left the favourites reeling. It was Raymond Smith who stole the show.
The experienced left-hander, also known as The Guru, dismantled third seed Stephen Bunting 6-2, averaging a clinical 99.81 and converting 86% of his doubles. He was relentless on the outer ring, following up sharp 92 and 90 combinations with a superb 124 checkout on the bullseye that confirmed his place in the last eight.
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“It feels pretty awesome. Eight years since I last played on a PDC stage, so I’m pretty stoked,” reflected Smith.
Zealand International Convention Centre) on Thursday August 13 2026. Photo: Stephen Parker / www.photosport.nz
“I think I played really well. What we’re doing in the ADA, DPNZ and ANZ Premier League is setting us up for this sort of stuff.
“What the PDC is investing in the Oceanic region is showing in the results.”
Not to be outdone, Adam Leek delivered a World Series of Darts debut for the ages. The Australian number two survived six match darts from Ross Smith before sinking the Englishman in a dramatic last-leg decider. Despite establishing a commanding 4-1 cushion, Smith faltered on the doubles in the latter stages as Leek won five of the last six legs to set up a fascinating all-Aussie quarter-final against his compatriot.
“It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m lost for words,” revealed Leek.
“I tried to compose myself as much as I could, and thankfully that last dart went in.
“It’s a dream come true to play on this stage, so I’ll make sure I’m ready for the next one and we’ll see how we go.”
Elsewhere the big guns largely delivered. Top seed Gian van Veen impressed on his debut Down Under, averaging north of 97 in a 6-1 demolition of New Zealand’s World Cup star Jonny Tata. The Dutch number one will now take on 2022 runner-up Jonny Clayton in the last eight, after the Welshman overturned a 4-2 deficit to account for home favourite Haupai Puha.
2022 champion Gerwyn Price will face Damon Heta after the Welshman converted 67% of his doubles in a 6-1 demolition of Mark Cleaver. Heta, meanwhile, produced a superb five-leg flurry to complete a comeback victory against Ben Robb, following up legs of 11 and 12 darts with a classy 105 kill.
Josh Rock and James Wade complete the quarter-final line-up. Rock defied a valiant fightback from Australian icon Simon Whitlock to close out a 6-4 success, while Wade marked his return to New Zealand with a six-leg whitewash over a struggling Kayden Milne.
The 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters reaches its climax on Saturday, as the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place during a bumper final session at the Spark Arena.
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Van Veen and Clayton will kick off the evening’s proceedings, before Wade and Rock battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. Price – the only former champion in this year’s field – then faces Heta, with Smith and Leek rounding off the quarter-final action in what promises to be a night of pure Oceanic drama.
2026 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
Friday August 14
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Mark Cleaver
Adam Leek 6-5 Ross Smith
James Wade 6-0 Kayden Milne
Josh Rock 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Gian van Veen 6-1 Jonny Tata
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Haupai Puha
Damon Heta 6-4 Ben Robb
Raymond Smith 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Saturday August 15 (1900 NZST)
Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton
James Wade v Josh Rock
Gerwyn Price v Damon Heta
Raymond Smith v Adam Leek
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Van Veen/Clayton v Wade/Rock
Price/Heta v Smith/Leek
Best of 13 legs
Final
v
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
Images: PDC
