NZSFC MARKS 70 YEARS AT MERCURY BAY

More than 200 people gathered in Whitianga for two packed days of fishing, fisheries issues, boating safety, national awards and celebration as the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council marked its 70th AGM.  

By Mike Plant, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council

New Zealand’s sport fishing community turned out in force at Whitianga on September 18 and 19, with more than 200 delegates, speakers, sponsors, anglers and partners attending the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s 70th AGM and Conference.

Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club was a fitting host. One of five foundation clubs that formed the national council in 1957, its waterfront home provided a direct connection to the early days of organised game fishing in New Zealand.

Joseph (Joe) Davis MNZM of Ngāti Hei opened proceedings with a welcome and karakia before host-club vice-president Tim Hennessey welcomed the national fishing community to Whitianga.

One of the biggest announcements was a change of leadership. Whakatāne Sport Fishing Club’s Heyden Johnston was confirmed as NZSFC president, succeeding Scott Macindoe.

Northland’s Andrew Johnson and Tairua’s Cié Robinson-Bates were appointed vice-presidents, with Robinson-Bates becoming the first woman to hold the office of NZSFC vice-president in the Council’s 70-year history.

Whangārei Deep Sea Anglers Club was named NZSFC Club of the Year, while the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty featured heavily among the national awards.

Tairua–Pāuanui’s Taj Chapple won the Youth Nationals primary-school title, clubmate Geordie Wilson received the Rob Dinsdale Memorial Trophy for the season’s first weighed marlin, and Steve Borland was named NZSFC Volunteer of the Year.

Tauranga’s Ian Rae won the Lord Norrie Cup with a 149.8kg striped marlin aboard Double Strike, while Waihau Bay took both the Webb Family Spearfish Interclub Trophy and Interclub Team Spearfish Championship.

Mercury Bay’s Jason van Esch received the Old Man and the Sea Cup and Fisherman of the Year award after landing a massive 384.9kg black marlin aboard Corblimey. The fish also won the 2026 Kubota Billfish Classic.

Away from the trophies, major discussions centred on the future of NZ’s fisheries and keeping anglers safe on the water.

Maritime New Zealand outlined the rule requiring people aboard recreational craft six metres and under to wear lifejackets while underway from October 9. Water Safety New Zealand focused on preventing drownings, while the Rescue Coordination Centre urged boaties to carry the right emergency beacon, register and test it, keep it within reach and activate it early.

Fisheries discussions ranged from marlin, tuna and tarakihi to marine protection and recovery of the Coromandel scallop fishery.

The Council said it would oppose reopening the Whangārei Harbour scallop fishery while connected stocks remain depleted. A major biomass survey is planned for 2027, with rebuilding abundance seen as essential before carefully controlled harvesting could resume.

The Department of Conservation also explained the Hauraki Gulf’s new High Protection Areas, Seafloor Protection Areas and marine-reserve extensions. Delegates supported healthier marine ecosystems while raising questions around fishing access, boundaries and ensuring restrictions target activities causing damage.

One of the weekend’s most memorable stories came through FishABLE, with Waihau Bay’s Connie Randrup becoming New Zealand’s first FishABLE Award recipient after landing a tuna during the Nationals aboard Son de la Mer. Fishing from a rod holder mounted to her chair, Randrup had the tuna alongside just 12 minutes after taking over the rod.

Behind the conference was a large team of Mercury Bay volunteers who kept the busy programme running, helping turn the AGM into a national gathering of competition, fisheries advocacy, safety and fishing-community spirit.

The Council’s 71st AGM will be hosted by Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club in 2027, where the East Coast will get its turn to welcome New Zealand’s sport-fishing community.

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