This year's Taheke Pig Hunt has been won by Hare Mangu of Ohaeawai with a 77kg white boar caught in bush at Opahi, about 15km south of Moerewa.
Hosted by David and Gail Absolum of the Taheke Tavern, the hunt was held over Queen's Birthday weekend and saw 18 pigsweighed in by the 4pm Sunday cut-off.
Hundreds gathered in the tavern grounds, on State Highway 12 west of Kaikohe, for prizegiving and a chance to bid on donated pigs.
Second place went to Phil Karanga of the Mangamuka Pig Hunting Club for a 71kg beast caught near Cape Reinga; the prize for longest tusks went to Sandy Pihema.
About 80 hunters take part in the hunt each year, bagging 10-20 pigs. It was the second hunt of the winter with Horeke opening the season a weekend earlier. Most hunters elected to take their pigs home this year with just two sold at auction.
