Club of the Year

CLUB OF THE YEAR 2021

The Tairua Pauanui Sports Fishing Club has had another outstanding year. Into the second year at its new clubrooms (having moved premises in December 2019), the club saw its membership base once again expand from 1,326 members in 2020 to 1,534 at the end of the 2021 season.

Despite the backdrop of a global Covid pandemic, the club produced a strong financial result while continuing to grow its membership. The committee combined with continued strong support from its volunteer members, enabled the club to successfully navigate the complexities of operating in a Covid world

The Tairua Pauanui Sports Fishing Club actively seeks to encourage the diversity in the our club and one of the key tournaments supporting this is the annual Fish ‘N Chicks ladies fishing competition. In March 2021, the TPSFC hosted a revamped and better than ever ladies’ day which saw a huge increase in entries on previous years. A filleting station was set up and volunteers filleted any fish caught in exchange for a gold coin donation, with funds being donated to the Women’s Refuge. The club managed to donate a fantastic $1,500 to Women’s Refuge which is equivalent to 75 “Safe Nights” for women and children in need of a safe place to stay. This year also saw the introduction of the new Big Three tournament which combines the love of fishing, diving and hunting into one competition. Over a 3-day period over 100 hunter gatherers braved the very harsh elements. The feedback was outstanding with most saying they would be back next year. This tournament came about as the club could see the diversity it would bring in bringing the different elements together and in doing so has resulted in many new members. The club’s participation in the NZSFC Nationals combined with their existing tuna and light tackle tournament. This saw them getting a record number of 93 entrants into the Nationals.

The Tairua Rugby and Sports Club works closely with the fishing club to create a greater sense of community within the area. This is epitomised by the annual ‘Legends Lunch’ promoted by the rugby club but hosted by the fishing club. Out of lock down and with the pandemic pulling the plug on the big-name boat shows they teamed up with Grady White Boats to step in and help out the marine industry and the local Coromandel economy by organising a non-profit event with free entry. This saw more than 80 models of boats on display, along with jet ski, marine equipment, fishing tackle & accessories. Numbers completely exceeded all expectations with over 5000 pilling into the Marina on the Saturday to have a look at what was on offer. The coast guard did over 100 bar crossing demos on what is a notoriously dangerous bar at times.

Other community contributions included:-

Holding weekly Art community classes - Fish Auction for the Local Fire Brigade that raised over $2000 - Hosting a weekly group of 30+ Local Ladies who fundraise for various community projects, including Kids fishing, Ladies day - Making the Clubrooms available to be used for and funerals free of charge - Fishing Club Golf Tournaments and hosting Sport Waikato workshops.

The clubs contribution to Fisheries involved :-

The Coromandel Restoration Programme - Club President Warren Maher has been extremely passionate in his working with neighbouring fishing clubs, Legasea, Ngati Hei, NZSFC, Hauraki Gulf Forum, Dive zone & Opito Bay Rate Payers. The scallop survey was officially launched by Ngãti Hei and the community at a ceremony at Opito Bay on 17 December 2020. Ngãti Hei rangatira Joe Davis announced a rãhui on scallops and the community is supporting a voluntary ban on all take of scallops until a more formal customary management tool can be established to prevent harvesting. Waikato Regional coastal Plan – The club felt it was important to forward submissions outlining concerns regarding bottom contact fishing methods, moorings, wharfs and public access. Hapuka Bass - In April members of the committee attended a meeting held by Fisheries New Zealand to discuss the concerns regarding Hapuka & Bass in the HPB1 region. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the serious depletion of Hapuka and also bass as raised by all the concerned stakeholders, being commercial, recreational & Iwi. Pink Maomao - President Warren Maher & Member Mike Bhana have worked closely alongside Legasea & Joe Davis, kaumãtua from local iwi Ngãti Hei after the exposure of the terrible practise of bulk gathering of Pink Maomao off the cost of Tairua.

NIWA - Vice president Wayne Barnes is currently working with Niwa applying standardised stock monitoring and assessment methodologies for New Zealand’s deepwater, inshore, and freshwater fisheries.

Moving forward, the club’s aim is to continue being the “hub of the Community” and to promote and encourage Youth and new members to enjoy the benefits, facilities, panoramic views and beauty that Tairua and Pauanui Sports Fishing Club has to offer.