New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 Predictions: Two names to beat the Luke’s

Next we head to New Zealand, as the World Series of Darts continues...

Our darts expert Sean Rafferty gives his New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 predictions - comprising two selections in the outright market.

History, Location and Format

The 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters is the fifth running of this PDC event, having been first held in 2019. It forms the last event on the World Series of Darts schedule, ahead of the finals in Amsterdam in September.

The tournament will be held at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, with this year's event running from Friday 15th to Saturday 16th August and will be shown on ITV4 in the UK.

The defending champion is Luke Humphries, who defeated Damon Heta 8-2 in the 2024 final.

Prize Money

There is a prize fund of £100,000 on offer to the 16 participants, who are made up of eight elite PDC players and eight regional Oceanic qualifiers.

New Zealand Darts Masters Odds

Stephen Bunting @ 12/1

I decided to leave Stephen off my outright card last week, due to some sub-par performances from The Bullet at the World Matchplay last month, failing to average above 98 in any of his matches. I think he put a lot of that right in Wollongong last week though, with a run to the semi-finals. Bunting dropped just one leg on route to the semis, beating Brody Klinge 6-1 with a 101 average, before impressively whitewashing Josh Rock 6-0 in the quarters. He came up short against Littler in what was a tight match for much of the contest, Stephen still averaged over 102 in defeat.

I’m not entirely sure why he’s been made longer odds this week than last, when the likes of Price, Littler and Rock are all in the other half of the draw. The draw looks to have been fairly kind to Stephen, with a first round tie against Ben Robb, which may be seen as one of the “tougher” qualifiers to come up against, but I’d still expect him to come through that one. Chris Dobey is the likely opponent awaiting in the quarters, which again I’d make The Bullet favourite to win.

There’s a lot of question marks over the highest ranked player in this half, Luke Humphries at the moment. So I’d say Bunting is definitely one of the favourites to come through this half and his brilliant World Series record this year makes him all the more appealing to back this week.

Damon Heta @ 14/1

I’m taking an approach I don’t usually and choosing both of my selections from the same half - main reasoning for this, as touched on already, is the lack of form being shown from Luke Humphries just now, who Heta would face in the quarter finals if both win their opening round matches. Humphries has had a couple intriguing interviews recently where he spoke of a lack of motivation to practice in recent months, as well as not feeling 100% fit.

Heta could capitalise from the World number one’s misfortunes - he faces what looks like an easy opener against Kiwi Dean Reyland, which would set up a tie against Humphries. The Heat was truly on fire in his opening round match last week in Australia, averaging 110 in a 6-0 thumping over James Bailey. He then came up short against Littler in the quarters, but may not face as stiff a test this round if he is to find his way to the final.

Damo has spoke of his eagerness to not just be remembered for winning the Brisbane Masters and start adding to that tally of big stage titles. He won’t get many better chances than this, playing in his neck of the woods where he’s had much success before. A week back home between this and the Australian Masters is bound to have given him a boost and he should be raring to go this week. 14/1 looks a good price if he can make the most of what could be a golden opportunity to win his first big stage title since 2022.

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