Aongatete youngster Makaira Adamson can’t wait for next weekend to arrive.

She’s been watching her parents Scott and Sarah Adamson accumulate a massive prize pool – worth up to $20,000 – for this year’s Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29.

But the 5-year-old – who was born into the hunting and fishing-mad family – will have more competition than last year as the second annual competition had already surpassed 2025’s entrant tally of 150 kids with a week until it begins.

“Last year we had 153 kids enter and we’ve passed that now,” said the Adamsons, who were again organising the event with a committee and a bunch of parents.

“We want to see as many kids from the district as possible to register – they can enter right up to the competition or just turn up on the day to sign up,” said Sarah.

This year’s major prize had just been revealed – an inflatable boat with a 3.5hp outboard motor (RRP $2300). Plus, there’s a bunch of other huge spot prizes bikes, scooters, stand-up paddleboards, fishing rods and more to win.

Aongatete youngster Makaira Adamson was born into a hunting and fishing-mad family. Photo / Merle Cave

This year the committee had opened entries up to age 15 years old, up from last year’s maximum age of 13 – and the first 200 children registered would receive goodies bags.

This year, kids should turn up on Friday, March 27, from 3.30pm-6pm to the competition headquarters at 2697 State Highway 2 to sign in.

“The first 200 kids registered will receive a goodie bag – then it’s time to get out there hunting and fishing until midday Sunday, March 29.”

Hunting categories would include possums, rabbits, hares and magpies, while young fisher-people could catch and enter snapper, kahawai, trevally, Kingfish, spotty and piper.

“The only category we’ve changed is we’ve added a prize for the most possums caught – because we want to encourage eradication of pests in the district,” said Sarah.

Scott said he was happy with the number of kids registered so far for 2026 – but he still wanted to see more families get involved.

“It’s good to see there is such a strong backing behind hunting and fishing in the district and the sports are growing.

“But I would quietly like it to become the biggest kids’ competition in the country – because we want to see more of the next generation getting into the outdoors, learning and enjoying fishing and hunting.”

The committee had left the entry fee at $15 per child to make it affordable for families.

Children can hunt and fish right up until midday on March 29, with prizegiving to be held at 4pm at 2697 State Highway 2.

Sarah said the prizegiving will be much the same as last year. “We will have a range of entertainment on offer including Jen’s face painting, the balloon guy etc and food to purchase.

“Kids in the competition will receive a free sausage sizzle, thanks to sponsor Katikati Meat Masters.”

The committee had also put together four huge raffles – family, beauty, treats and 4m3 – which they would sell tickets to right up to prizegiving.

To register children in this year’s Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29, email: kidshuntingandfishingcomp@gmail.com or see their Facebook page.