Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Huge snapper wins top prize
An angler from the Far North caught a massive snapper and in the process won new Zealand’s biggest fishing prizes. Harley Ra pulled in a 7.665kg snapper at the Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza last weekend and took home two prizes – one for the heaviest fish of the day ($2,500) and the prize for the heaviest fish in the competition ($30,000).
“Ra’s last-minute catch dashed the hopes of Darin Maxwell from Ōpōtiki of becoming the first person to win the competition twice. In the end, Maxwell had to content himself with second place and cash prizes totalling $4500 for a fish weighing in at 7.25kg. Maxwell’s monster 12.03kg catch in 2012 remains the heaviest snapper caught in the competition’s 15-year history.
“A total of 1200 fishers registered for this year’s bonanza, which has been held every March on Ninety Mile Beach, or Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe, since 2011. Organised by Kaitāia publican Dave Collard and printer John Stewart, the event, based at Waipapakauri Ramp near the southern end of the beach, is said to be the world’s biggest surfcasting contest.
“About 120 fish caught during the contest were auctioned off at Saturday’s Kaitāia Market, raising more than $14,000 for the Kaitāia Volunteer Fire Brigade.” (Source: “Far North man reels in 7.66kg snapper and wins nation’s biggest fishing prizes,” by Peter De Graaf, March 15, www.stuff.co.nz).
5 stars – not only did the competition attract 1200 anglers from all over the country – it also raised a good sum for a worthy cause – total upside!
Kākāpō livestream a big hit
In the middle of January this year, the Department of Conservation set up cameras and a livestream to document the activity of a mother kākāpō, named Rakiura, during breeding season. Fans from all over new Zealand, and the globe have since tuned in.
“In a chat forum attached to the live stream, fans monitor progress and comment on each moment with glee. Some congratulate the mother on her chicks, while others offer up name suggestions. Conservationists are pinning hopes on this being a record breeding year for the threatened bird – Rakiura has already had two chicks hatch.
“At any given time there are more than 100 people watching her, even as she sleeps for hours on end. On the forum, many discuss why this rare look into the elusive lives of the kākāpō resonates. ‘This site is my lovely distraction from all the terrible things happening in the world around us,’ writes one viewer.
“I‘m following the story of this nest with curiosity and wonder,” writes another. “Thank you, [Department of Conservation], for your commitment and passion for this extraordinary bird: fighting for the beautiful and wonderful things on this planet is never pointless or a waste of time.'” (Source: “‘My lovely distraction’: live stream of kākāpō – world’s fattest parrot – and her chicks captivates New Zealand,” by Eva Corlett, March 11, www.guardian.co.uk).
5 stars – a fantastic initiative by DOC and great to see a global audience fascinated by a truly marvellous creature!
Fish of the year announced
Every time I stumble on a story about an animal of the year competition I am continually surprised that such competitions exist and always fascinated. This year’s winner of Fish of the Year is a surprising victor but nonetheless worthy!
“The Northland mudfish was not even in the top ten at the competition’s halfway point, but surged ahead in the final 24 hours – bumping the longfin eel, or tuna kūwharuwharu, out of the top spot. Just under 6000 people around the country voted in the contest, which is organised annually by Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust.
“Trust founder Samara Nicholas said the humble, secretive Northland mudfish – which was found only in a few wetlands around Kaikohe and Lake Ōmāpere – benefited from strong campaigns by the regional council and a local radio station. ‘Even the Northland Rugby Union claimed they may actually change the Northland Taniwha name to the Northland Mudfish,’ she said. ‘I think people just got really fascinated by the fact that it’s so rare, it’s highly threatened. Not a lot is known about it. And it’s just so quirky that it seemed to capture the imagination of people.'” (Source: “Mudfish pulls off last-minute upset to claim Fish of the Year 2026,” by Peter de Graaf, March 17, www.rnz.co.nz).
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