Most Improved Trophy Winners
These trophies were awarded to the men's and women's players who showed the most improvement throughout the season and/or from the previous season's efforts. They (along with the Most Promising Players of the Year awards) were discontinued in 2006/07 and replaced by the Zin Harris Memorial Cup and Kim Jamieson Memorial Cup for young male and female players of the year, respectively.
| Season | Men's Winner | Women's Winner |
| 1982/83 | A Arnold | T Arahanga |
| 1983/84 | GR Lucas | CA Campbell |
| 1984/85 | BZ Harris | J Beattie |
| 1985/86 | RM Ford | JA Turner |
| 1986/87 | GM Olliver | T McNamara |
| 1987/88 | GR Lucas | M Ormandy |
| 1988/89 | GM Rae | M Ormandy |
| 1989/90 | NS Tikao | SM Frahm |
| 1990/91 | AF Rolfe | M Ormandy |
| 1991/92 | JB Mooar | A Morris |
| 1992/93 | KB Scott | SM Frahm |
| 1993/94 | JS Ward | S Burrows |
| 1994/95 | MW Fine | L Walker |
| 1995/96 | not awarded | J Durdin |
| 1996/97 | JS Ward | CJ Moffat |
| 1997/98 | GN Brooks | MJ Carmont |
| 1998/99 | JAF Davidson | BH McNeill (Isaachsen) |
| 1999/00 | T Breese | SK Burke (Wynands) |
| 2000/01 | BA Smith | SK Burke (Wynands) |
| 2001/02 | AC Bailey | KA Craig |
| 2002/03 | BD Glover | KL Goodacre (Cunis) |
| 2003/04 | RK Davidson | RC Milburn |
| 2004/05 | NG Tubb (Jones) | AE Satterthwaite |
| 2005/06 | ND Cross | LM Tahuhu |
| 2006/07 | JPD O'Gorman | AE Forbes |
Multiple recipients:
-
Men:
- 2 - GR Lucas (1983/84, 1987/88)
- 2 - JS Ward (1993/94, 1996/97)
Women:
- 3 - M Ormandy (1987/88, 1988/89, 1990/91)
- 2 - SM Frahm (1989/90, 1992/93)
- 2 - SK Burke (Wynands) (1999/00, 2000/01)
