All four Auckland and Northern Districts sides will miss the opening rounds of the domestic cricket season, as the City of Sails remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
The men's Plunket Shield four-day competition begins on October 23, but the Aces and Knights won't start their campaigns until November 7.
Champions Canterbury start the season at Hagley Oval against Central Districts, while Wellington host Otago at the Basin Reserve.
Auckland won't play their first game until the round three clash against Central Districts, starting November 7.
Their opening fixtures against Northern Districts and Canterbury have been postponed, with details of all rescheduled matches to be confirmed by NZ Cricket at a later date.
NZ Cricket operations general manager Catherine Campbell acknowledges the complexity of organising this season's fixtures amid a COVID-19 Delta outbreak.
"It's certainly been a challenge," she says. "I'd like to thank all six major associations and their teams, along with the CPA, for their assistance and cooperation.
"We've had to adopt a flexible approach to permit players to perform at their best and maximise playing opportunities, whilst of course complying with Government requirements, and ensuring the health and wellbeing of all participants are protected.
"The schedule has been changing right up to yesterday and may well change again, if Auckland's Level 3 lockdown continues.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it - we're confident we have room in the schedule to make up matches as desired."
The women's one-day competition begins on October 30, but Auckland, Northern Districts, Canterbury and Wellington won't play their first games until the weekend of November 6/7.
NZC has also confirmed the T20 Super Smash will be predominantly played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this season, with details of the T20 calendar to be revealed in coming weeks.