Tens of thousands in prizes will be up for grabs during one of Gisborne’s largest fishing competitions this weekend.
Organisers hope conditions on the water will be fine for the Enterprise Cars Autosure New Zealand Bay Bonanza fishing competition, running for three days from January 24 to January 26.
Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club president Roger Faber said the event format would be similar to last year for the 40th anniversary and previous years.
Competition categories include the heaviest marlin, tuna, snapper, kahawai and more.
The overall prize pool last year was worth $80,000, including the $40,000 “Lucky Angler” draw prize which Faber says will return this year.
“[The increased $40,000 prize] was going to be for one year but we decided to carry it on,” Faber said.
The Lucky Angler draw involves a draw every day, before an elimination draw at the final day’s prizegiving.
The last person standing takes home the $40,000.
The last two standing at last year’s event, Mike Lloyd and Alexander Meredith, decided to share the prize.
Rough conditions forced the cancellation of day one during the 2024 event and Faber hopes there will not be a repeat this year.
“The weather is changing daily but at this stage, Friday is looking pretty nice. Saturday starts okay but looks like there could be stronger northerlies in the afternoon and then Sunday is improving and looks like it should be okay,” he said.
He said recent weather had unfortunately meant a lot of fishers had not been able to get out for some time, but marlin and tuna fishing had been “exceptional” before Christmas.
“In the recent few days when guys have been able to get out, there is a real abundance of yellowfin tuna out there, better than we have probably seen for 20 years, which is great to see with the contest coming up.”
As with previous years, entries can be made throughout the competition but boats and anglers must register the day before going out on the water.
Faber was expecting about 120 boats and more than 500 anglers, with some coming from out of the region.
“We do get some visiting boats coming here, one or two launches but mainly trailer boats. It definitely does bring people to the region.”
Controlled burnoff at Wainui
Firefighters are reminding the public to conduct controlled burns in the morning rather than at night after responding to reports of a fire at Okitū on Monday night.
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire burning on a farm on Winifred St.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent four appliances to the scene about 10.30pm.
“It turned out the farmer had a controlled burnoff under way on elevated land and the fire could be seen from Moana Road, State Highway 35,” a senior firefighter said.
The fire was under control, Fire and Emergency did not have to take any action and it was left to burn.
“It serves as a reminder in the current open fire season for people to conduct fires like it in the morning, not at night.”
Only two of the four appliances made it to the scene of the fire, the other two were recalled.
Waioeka daytime closures next month
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has advised motorists to plan for daytime closures on State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Waioeka Gorge from February 11.
The road will be closed from Kerei St, Matawai, and Warrington Road, Ōpōtiki between 10am and 6pm for four days from February 11 to February 14.
The work will involve contractors safely replacing the road surface at two corners in the Gorge with asphalt.
On Monday, February 10, the road will be open with stop/go and a reduced speed limit between 8am and 5pm, allowing crews to dig up the existing road in preparation for the asphalt layer.
Bay of Plenty System Manager Sandra King said NZTA recognised the significance of SH2 through the Waioeka Gorge, particularly for Gisborne and the surrounding Tairāwhiti region.
“This section of SH2 has a critical function with no convenient detour route. It’s the key connection for Gisborne and the surrounding Tairāwhiti region to the Bay of Plenty and beyond,” King said.
“We understand this work will cause inconvenience, and we don’t take planning road closures lightly.
“In this instance, by closing the Waioeka Gorge for eight hours a day, we’re able to complete this essential work more efficiently and safely, improving safety and resilience through the area.”
