Kids Fishing Contest Nets $8,000 for Mangawhai Activity Zone

The recent Kids Fishing Contest held in Mangawhai successfully raised $8,000 for the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ). Hosted by Dave Gurr, the tournament attracted over 400 entries and took place during the last three weekdays of the spring break for schools. The donation was formally presented to MAZ’s Ken Rayward at a prizegiving event at the Mangawhai Tavern.

The contest featured impressive catches across various categories. The top snapper was captured by Coby Bridings, weighing in at 3.495 kilograms. In the kahawai category, Hawke Reilly led the field with a notable entry of 2.845 kilograms. This year saw an abundance of kahawai, likely due to their feeding on whitebait in the estuary.

Trevally, which had been the standout species in the previous year, showed lower numbers this time around. Nonetheless, Te Awanui Matthews secured the win with a trevally weighing 3.200 kilograms. Other notable catches included a 0.281-kilogram yelloweye mullet by Heath Lineham and a 0.115-kilogram piper by Noah Mabin.

Exciting Prizes and Community Support

Participants were not only vying for the top fish but also enjoyed a range of prizes. Each entrant had a chance to spin a prize wheel daily, with many walking away with spot prizes, cash, or entries into draws for electric bikes. Lily-Mae Holtzhausen, an 11-year-old student from Mangawhai Beach School, won the grand prize of a $5,000 voucher for a family holiday to Fiji, an opportunity she described as “unreal.”

Her father, Riaan Holtzhausen, expressed gratitude towards the sponsors and organizers for their efforts in creating such a memorable experience. The draw was open to all entrants, regardless of whether they caught a fish.

Tournament host Dave Gurr praised the community’s generosity, particularly highlighting the support from local businesses during challenging trading conditions. He noted the contribution from Nick Smith of Smith Construction, who had already allocated funds for sponsorship, enhancing the main draw prize.

Gurr transformed the donations into a substantial prize pool, where each species winner received an electric bike valued at nearly $1,000. There were also additional draws for electric bikes and scooters, with third-placed anglers receiving fishing gear.

Community Engagement and Sponsorship

The event also recognized the sponsors who have backed the contest since its inception four years ago. Local charter operator Johnny Madden of Eco Adventures contributed a day trip for four, which was drawn from among the sponsors. The inclusion of sponsors in the prize draw highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the contest and local businesses.

The presence of popular YouTube content creator Ryan Hampton, known for his channel Muddy Feet, added an extra layer of excitement to the event. He assisted with fishing coaching and presented prizes during the ceremony.

The Kids Fishing Contest not only provided an enjoyable experience for participants but also fostered community spirit and support for local initiatives. With such a successful turnout and fundraising effort, anticipation is already building for next year’s event.

The fishing results showcased the talent and enthusiasm of young anglers, including:

– **Piper**: Noah Mabin (0.115 kg), Zac Poole (0.110 kg), Hunter Carderer (0.098 kg)
– **Sprats**: Heath Lineham (0.281 kg), Cooper Buckley (0.253 kg), Ruben Sweetman (0.220 kg)
– **Trevally**: Te Awanui Matthews (3.200 kg), Shaka Kimani (2.600 kg), Francesco Gallo (2.160 kg)
– **Kahawai**: Hawke Reilly (2.845 kg), Eddie Hase (2.705 kg), Dane Poole (2.550 kg, on a countback with Bn Bridson)
– **Snapper**: Coby Bridings (3.495 kg), Lochie Canton, James Ford (2.395 kg)

The success of this tournament underscores the potential for community-driven initiatives to make a significant impact while engaging the younger generation in outdoor activities.