Funky Fish Rules 2025

Updated Rules

Please read carefully as there have been some changes as we move towards making the event more sustainable; we are moving to a length based event, and encourage Catch and Release.

Fishing Area

Whangarei Harbour & between Kauri Mountain, Hen & Chicks & Bream Tail.

Start & End Times

Fishing starts Saturday 29 March 2025, 3:00 pm onwards until the close of weigh-in Sunday 30 March 2025, 2:30 pm.

Weigh-in

Between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm Sun 30th March at Taurikura Beach site. You must be in the queue before the weigh-in closes. Late fish will not be accepted into the competition. Note: All fish will be presented for length based measurement on the day. Only Packhorse and Kina will be weighed.

Catch & Release Details

Take a digital picture of the fish in the photo against a legal fish size/measure guide. Ensure the anglers ticket with visible name, ticket number and competition code is also in the photo. Once the fish has been successfully released send the photo to the Funky Fish Facebook messenger link. The Weighmaster has sole discretion of acceptance of the entry. 

Competition Code

To ensure catch and release entries are caught and photographed within the competition time period entries must include a code. The code must be written on the angler’s ticket and visible in the photo. The 2 digit code will be communicated via the following channels on Saturday 29 March at 2pm:

• Funky Fishing Website: funkyfishing.co.nz
• Funky Fishing Facebook Page
• Funky Fishing Facebook Event Page 

Any catch and release entry without the competition code written on the ticket will not be accepted. 

Funkiest Fish

We will have two different prizes for the Funkiest Fish

1. Catch and Release – send a pic of the most interesting catch of the day – this might be an unusual fish that doesn’t sit in any other category from the Fishing Tournament but must be returned to the sea.
2. For those children who want to demonstrate their creativity. Design your own “funkiest fish” – this is not a live animal but rather something you can create.  Ideas might include using; a rock, a piece of bark, items from the beach or even get really artistic with mosaic, or paper mache or any art materials from home.

No animals should be harmed in the making of the Funkiest Fish.

Capture your “funky fish”, in a photo alongside your named competition ticket and send it through to the official Funky Fishing and Diving Competition Messenger page by 2:30pm on Sunday 30 March, 2025. 

www.facebook.com/funkyfishing 

The winner/s will be announced during the Prize Giving at the event. 

Rules

1. All persons in a fishing party must have a ticket.
2. All fish and crayfish presented for measurement/weight must meet legal size and catch limits. 
3. Please note this year we are only accepting Snapper between 30-55cm in length for “length based measurement” at the event. All Snapper longer than 55cm must be entered in to the Catch and Release category.
4. Maximum of 1 kahawai per person presented for length based measurement.  This must be bled prior.
5. Maximum of 3 fish per category (John Dory, Kingfish, Trevally, Snapper) of all species (except Kahawai (see rule 4 above)  are to be presented for length based measurement at the event. 
6. Except for Dive categories, all fish must be caught using rod and reel, no more than 2 hooks per line, no long lines, kites, kontiki’s, spearguns or nets permitted.
7. All fish presented must be kept on ice/ chilled in good fresh condition. The weigh master has sole discretion to accept fish and has the right to gut or open fish for inspection.
8. Because this is a length based measurement based competition, we would prefer fish to be gutted, prior to being presented.
9. All fish entered becomes the property of Funky Fishing Competition.
10. The angler must present their own fish with an event ticket to the “weigh in” tent.
11. Each fish can be entered into 1 category only, appropriate to age/category.
12. Nipper, Junior and Adults category fish presented are all eligible for Average prizes.
13. Only 1 prize per fish presented is permitted.
14. Only 1 spot prize ticket will be awarded, regardless of the number of fish presented for measurement.
15. In the event of a tie, the first fish presented for measurement, or sent in for entry to the catch and release category, shall win the prize.
16. Winners must be on hand at the prize giving to claim prizes.
17. Draw for the Major Grand Prize Package, the winner MUST be present for the draw or else a redraw shall take place until a winner is found. A form of ID may be requested as evidence of a person.
18. Purchase of a competition ticket, constitutes acceptance of the rules & regs of the competition and contestants agree to abide by the committee & Weigh Master decisions.

Fishing Categories

Funkiest Fish- Prize to be decided by the school principal – Catch and Release only (including creative entries)

This year we are limiting the number of fish that can be presented for measurement on the day.  See rules 3,4, and 5 above for details. 

Diving Categories

Cancellation

• The Funky Fishing Committee has the right to cancel the fishing competition if sea/weather conditions are deemed unsafe.
• No refunds will be given.
• If a cancellation of the fishing contest occurs, prizes will be drawn randomly at the prize-giving site from 3 pm.
• If extreme weather dictates a relocation of the prize-giving site, signs at Taurikura Bay shall advise of any relocation. Our Facebook page shall also advise on the day if the extreme was to occur. You must be at prizegiving to claim a prize.
• if the competition is cancelled due to Covid -19, the funky Fishing & Diving committee shall refund tickets at cost value minus any fees.

Liability

No liability is accepted by the Funky Fishing Committee or Whangarei Heads School for damage or injury to any person or property.