Editing Raven Cup (section)

=== Early competitions ===

The Northland Open was incorporated into the original [[National Paintball League (New Zealand)|National Paintball League]] tournament programme in 1997.

At the [[1998 Northland Open]], held in Whangārei on 22 February, Team Raven received the Division Two trophy. Raven was the only team competing in that division, finishing fifth overall with 145 points. Saints won the tournament outright.[2]

At the [[1999 Northland Open]], Solidaire won Division Two with 323 points, finishing sixth overall. The surviving Raven Cup engraving identifies the recipient as Solidaire (Urban Combat).[1][3]

At the [[2000 Northland Open]], Team Crisis of Whangārei won Division Two and finished third overall with 445 points. The trophy records Team Crisis as its 2000 recipient.[1][4]

At the [[2001 Northland Open]], Rotorua team Tag n' Release won Division Two, finishing fifth overall with 585 points. The contemporary tournament report confirms that the team received a large cup.[5]