Kubota Billfish Classic delivers on and off the water

While the fishing action at this year’s Kubota Billfish Classic once again drew attention on the water, the impact off the water proved just as significant — with strong community involvement, major charity fundraising, and a tournament atmosphere that kept Whitianga buzzing.

While the fishing action at this year’s Kubota Billfish Classic once again drew attention on the water, the impact off the water proved just as significant – with strong community involvement, major charity fundraising, and a tournament atmosphere that kept Whitianga buzzing.

Event organiser Tom Maxwell said giving back to the community has become a key part of what the tournament represents.

“We want to engage as much of the community as possible – even those who aren’t into fishing – so they still feel part of it,” Maxwell said. “At the same time, it’s about giving back and supporting the people and organisations that make the area what it is.”

A number of charities and community groups benefited from this year’s event, with funds raised across multiple initiatives.

The Pink Ribbon Lunch Auction raised just under $32,000 for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

The Mercury Bay Rugby and Sports Club ran the bar throughout the event, delivering an outstanding result that will provide a major boost across the many sports and teams they support.

The local Volunteer Fire Brigade raised approximately $4,000 through mussel fritters and raffles, while the Wish4Fish initiative generated around $7,500 through its burger bar and raffle efforts.

The tournament also contributed directly to local organisations, donating $15,000 to the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club to support weighmasters and equipment used throughout the tournament, and $5,000 to the Whitianga Marina Society for the use of their facilities.

This year also saw the introduction of a fish auction, which proved extremely popular with the local community, raising $11,500 for the Youth Development Centre in conjunction with the Whitianga Community Services Trust. The funds will help support disadvantaged local youth.

Fish for the auction was generously donated by anglers, with members of the public able to purchase a range of species including black and blue marlin, yellowfin, mahimahi, kingfish and snapper.

Despite challenging weather conditions on the water, the overall mood of the tournament remained upbeat both offshore and around the weigh station.

“Despite the weather, no one let it get them down,” Maxwell said. “Everyone had a good attitude – there were smiles everywhere.”

The first two days in particular saw Whitianga come alive, with local businesses reporting a surge in activity similar to peak holiday periods.

“It was like New Year’s Eve or the Christmas holidays – the town was packed,” he said.

Large crowds gathered at the weigh station throughout the event, particularly when the black marlin came in on the first two days, with hundreds of spectators creating a real buzz among competitors.

The Kubota Billfish Classic continues to promote responsible fishing practices, with a strong emphasis on tag-and-release.

“Over the last few years, around 80-90% of billfish have been tagged and released,” Maxwell said.

And this year the fish that were weighed during the tournament the public got to get their hands on some world class fish to take home with the fish auction.

Since its early days of around 100 boats, the Kubota Billfish Classic has grown to attract more than 400 vessels, making it one of the largest game fishing competitions in the world.

With significant prize money on offer, the event continues to draw anglers from across the country and beyond.

“First and foremost, it’s the vibe and atmosphere that brings people back,” Maxwell said. “The social side is huge – it’s the event of the year most anglers don’t want to miss.”

This year saw strong prize distribution across the field, with around 30 boats taking home winnings of $10,000 or more.

“It’s not just one or two boats winning everything,” Maxwell said. “Everyone has a chance to walk away with something – and in some cases, life-changing money.”

A tournament that continues to deliver both on and off the water, the Kubota Billfish Classic remains a standout event on New Zealand’s game fishing calendar – not just for the fishing, but for the lasting impact it has on the local community and charities.

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