Waikanae rugby gets a rare NPC match with release of Heartland draw.

Horowhenua Kapiti's Heartland team is the Rugby Union's Rep Team of the Year. PHOTO / DARRYL BUTLER

Waikanae Park will host Heartland championship rugby game this season, an early release of a season draw shows.

Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union CEO Corey Kennett said while Courtesy Ford Levin Domain was the main ground for rugby in the province, every effort was made to ensure Heartland games were shared around.

As the Horowhenua-Kāpiti province was made up of small towns, HKRU made every effort to spread key fixtures around, he said.

It was Waikanae's turn, and the match at Waikanae Park against Poverty Bay is on September 28.

Games last season were played at Easton Park in Foxton and Paraparaumu Domain, while in other years game were played at Rahui Domain at Ōtaki.

In the 2019 draw HK is alternating each week between home and away games, with the first match against Mid Canterbury in Ashburton.

HK were the reigning Lochore Cup champions after beating Wairarapa Bush 26-23 at Levin Domain last season, and will again be coached by this year by Chris Wilton.