Sponsor gets snapper contest off hook

Hundreds of fishers will be able to compete again in the world's largest surfcasting contest this year at Ninety Mile Beach. Photo / File

A new sponsor has rescued the world's largest surfcasting contest due to take place on Ninety Mile Beach in March.

The future of the Snapper Bonanza looked uncertain after the previous naming rights sponsor, a major rum brand, couldn't commit to another year.

However, building supplies firm PlaceMakers has stepped into the breach, ensuring the Bonanza can go ahead. Also coming to the party is Summit Forestry, which is providing the contest headquarters at Waipapakauri Ramp.

Last year's Bonanza drew 740 anglers, 40 of whom travelled from overseas. One keen fisho came all the way from Italy.

Organisers John Stewart, a Kaitaia printer, and Dave Collard, a publican and district councillor, said the contest's survival was critical because it invigorated tourism and hospitality in Kaitaia just as the season would normally be winding down, pumping nearly $2 million extra into the economy.

They said pre-registration for the 2015 event was better than in previous years, possibly due to an earlybird prize draw for a $4400 Kontiki Seahorse.

This year's cash prizes total $76,000, including $30,000 for heaviest snapper and $10,000 for average-weight snapper. Another $100,000 worth of spot prizes will be given away, with one lucky angler driving home in a Mitsubishi Triton 4WD ute.

For the first time last year, the two top prizes were won by Far North fishers. Kaitaia mill worker Neil Sides pocketed $30,000 for a 9.995kg snapper hooked in the first three hours of the five-day contest, while Ngataki forestry worker Simon Job won the ute.

The contest was founded as the Snapper Classic in 1982 by the Brljevich family. It folded in 2009 after a new owner ran into financial strife, and it was revived under a new name in 2011 by Mr Collard and Mr Stewart. This year's event runs from March 10-14.

The final Snapper Classic was made into a documentary, Land of the Long White Cloud, by Northland film-maker Florian Habicht.

Organisers of the defunct Snapper Classic continue to advertise the event online, creating headaches for Bonanza organisers and confusion for overseas contestants. The Far North District Council estimates the contest pumps $1.9 million into the local economy each year.