Christchurch batted first in the 33-over game, compiling a useful 168. But Jamie How's 97 not out turned the game firmly in the home side's favour. Palmerston North lost only three wickets in reaching 169.
Earlier, Christchurch batsmen Simon Driessens (48) and James Hantz (41) both made solid contributions.
Gillette Cup
Christchurch BHS 168 (S Driessens 48, J Hantz 41; G Forgie 3-24, M Thomas 3-30) lost to Palmerston North BHS 174-3 (J How 97no, A Murley 38) by seven wickets
King's College 138 (W Barton 56; D Wilson 3-16, E Amos 3-23, S Laurence 3-33) lost to St Paul's Collegiate 139-6 (D Castles 47; M Campbell 3-20) by four wickets.
Yoplait Cup
Whangarei GHS 111-8 (S Sandilands 42; Z McWilliams 3-12) lost to Napier GHS 113-3 (S Duffill 36) by seven wickets
New Plymouth GHS 77 (S Charteris 3-11, J Wakefield 3-11, M Wakefield 3-13) lost to Timaru GHS 81-2 by eight wickets