A small school in the Western Bay of Plenty is bringing its rural community together by hosting its first-ever hunting competition.

The Kaimai School Winter Hunting Competition on July 2-6 is a family event with the aim of fundraising for the school, which has a roll of just under 100 students from Years 0-8.

“The event reflects the school’s strong connection to the outdoors and a curriculum that includes conservation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility,” said Kaimai School PTA vice president and one of the event’s organisers, Leon Marshall.

The competition is open to hunters from across Aotearoa with adult categories for deer and pigs –including stags, hinds, boars and sows – closest to average weight, heaviest and second heaviest, plus most possums and most rabbits. For children aged under-15, categories included rabbits and possums closest to average weight, heaviest, second heaviest, plus most rabbits and most possums.

The four-day competition would end Sunday, July 6, with a weigh-in from 9am-noon at the Kaimai Community Hall followed by a prizegiving of cash prizes and spot prizes, said Marshall.

“The event has already drawn strong interest from hunters of all ages, with more than 100 people registering to take part,” said Marshall.

“This is more than just a competition, this event is a chance to rally around Kaimai School, support local kids, and give back to the community through hunting with purpose.”

Kaimai School Winter Hunting Competition competitors: Rocco Patterson, Olivia Skellon, Hydie Marshall, Tommy Marshall, Teddy Jackson, Elodie Skellon, Jax Marshall, Matilda Skellon. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Marshall said this is the first time the school would host the event, and with strong local and regional support there were plans to grow it in future.

The 2025 event had drawn many local sponsors to donate prizes and made the event possible, Marshall said.

For those who don’t wish to keep the deer they shoot, Kaimai School is partnering with non-profit organisation Hunt for Good, which would process and distribute the meat to local foodbanks to help feed families in need.

Adult entries cost $50 each and under-15 entry was $20. To enter the competition, email: pta@kaimai.school.nz.