COMPETITION RULES

The Export NZ Fishing Competition runs continuously - season dates for the 26/27 season are June 1^st 2026 to May 31^st 2027.

Rules

Please Note: To qualify for prizes, your catch must not be significantly cut or obviously mutilated.

Dates of Competition

The Export NZ Fishing Competition runs continuously - season dates for the current season are June 1^st 2026 to May 31^st 2027

Eligible species

Snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trevally, gurnard (red gurnard only), tarakihi (EXCLUDING king tarakihi - predominately found at major offshore structures such as King and Ranfurly banks - is slightly larger and as either a less prominent or no dark band behind the head. King tarakihi also can be identified by a dark band at the ends of the pectoral fins), john dory, blue cod, blue moki and trout* are all eligible provided they meet legal size limits and have been measured and photographed on an approved measure.

*Trout are not eligible for prizes but will appear on our leaderboard if approved.

Fishing Method

The catch being entered must have been caught on a rod and reel.

Entries Per Day

A maximum of ONE entry per species per registered angler per day is permitted. Fish must be reasonably fresh and in good condition. Each individual fish can only be entered once - i.e. multiple entries of the same fish is not permitted by either the same or multiple individuals. For the purposes of eligibility for any prize draws, the date used is the date caught, NOT the date of upload of the entry to www.fishingcomp.co.nz.

MEASURING YOUR CATCH

A clear photograph of the fish, correctly placed on the measure, is critical for your entry into the competition. It is your responsibility to ensure you provide an image that we can use to validate your entry. Place your fish on the measure as shown below and take one or more digital photographs that clearly shows the whole fish, placed side-on, on the measure with either the upper or lower jaw touching the L-shaped plastic end of the measure. Please take your photo in landscape (horizontal) format as a portrait (vertical) photo can be difficult to assess and your catch may be declined.

For bigger catches that obscure the measure or make it difficult for the admin team to clearly verify the length (as in the picture below), we recommend a second photo is taken and entered with your catch laid above or below the measure, or in a way that makes the lines on the measure mat more visible.

Ensure the V of the tail is clearly visible and as close to the midline of the measure as possible. Take the photo from directly above the fish looking down on it rather than from the front or side. For your entry to be valid it's critical you take a good clear photo that complies with our rules. Your photo is the only way we can validate your entry so please make it a good one and take several just in case.

Here are some of the things that can go wrong with photos:

Image not focused (length can't be verified).
Image doesn't show the whole fish on the measure (length can't be verified).
Shadows - strong shadows may mean we can't verify the length. Photos are better taken in light shade with no shadow if possible, or use a fill-in flash.
Fish is gilled, partly gilled or gutted - entry may be declined or reduced in measurement

Photos should be taken as close above the fish as possible. The rule of 'feet' applies - if you stand over and look down on the fish and your feet are in the shot, you're in the right position!

Defective Photograph Entry Examples

CHECKLIST

Make sure the photo is of sufficient quality and suitable to enable the species and length to be verified.
The photo submitted must be in landscape format.
Take several photos just in case. Shadows can cause problems if the fish is placed in part sun/part shadow.
The tip of either the upper or lower jaw must touch the edge of the L-shaped plastic end of the measure. It is permissible to place a hand on your fish or have someone hold the fish on the measure, or use a damp cloth on the fish to settle it while a photo is taken, provided this does not obscure the fish significantly or prevent the comp administrators from being able to validate your catch.
The V of the tail should be as close to the midline of the measure as possible. Fish with a straight (trout and blue cod) or convex tail edge (john dory) should be placed so the tail edge is as close to parallel as possible to the graduated lines on the measure. All fish including blue cod and gurnard should be placed side-on the measure.
The measure must be placed on a flat surface.
The jaw of the fish must not be distorted in an attempt to exaggerate the length (e.g john dory) and the tail must sit naturally on the measure. If the jaw has been extended or the tail appears to have been squeezed together, the catch may be declined or a deduction in length may be made at the sole discretion of the administrators.
Fish must be measured fresh and must not be obviously cut or mutilated to qualify for any prizes. We strongly recommend you DO NOT gut or gill your catch before taking the photo as it MAY render the fish ineligible for any prizes. Photos with the fish clean of any blood are preferred, and images with excessive blood may be declined.
Please note that your fish may not be eligible for entry to the Export NZ Fishing Competition if the above conditions are not met. The organisers reserve the right to accept an entry on the basis that an appropriate reduction in length is made for any non-compliance and administrators also reserve the right to disqualify any catch at their sole and absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to, suspected measure tampering and false date submissions.

Measures

All catches must be measured on a measure approved as suitable for The Export NZ Fishing Competition. For a list of approved measures click here.

Provided the measure has an L-shaped end and is produced by a reputable supplier, other measures may be acceptable - email us with a photo of your measure and we'll consider adding it to our list of approved measures. The measure may not be modified so it will affect the ability to measure the fish accurately from the jaw tip. The vinyl measure may be shortened, however it may not be cut and re-joined.

How is the length determined?

For species with a V tail, the innermost point of the V must touch or exceed the line on the measure to qualify for that 0.5cm increment. For example, if your fish is just over 40cm but does not reach the 40.5cm mark then the length recorded will be 40.0cm. For species with a straight or convex tail the measurement will be the point where the middle of the tail touches the measure. Please ensure your fish is placed so the tail is evenly spread and the middle of the tail is along the midline of the measure.