Wake up kids – for those wanting to enter this year’s Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29, early bird entries are now open.

After a successful inaugural competition last year that was organised in a haphazard three weeks – catching $10,000 worth of prize money and 153 youngsters – this year the organisers want more local families to get involved.

Aongatete residents Scott and Sarah Adamson will again spearhead the competition with a committee and a bunch of parents – and have upped the eligibility age to enter.

“This year we’ve made entries open up to age 15 years old, up from last year’s maximum age of 13,” Damson said.

“The first 200 kids registered for our 2026 competition will receive goodies bags. Last year we had 153 kids register and receive goodie bags – this year we want to grow the competition and get more kids involved.”

Early bird registrations made before March 15 also go into a draw to win a prize.

“There’s an early bird prize this year – a paddleboard to win – which will be awarded at the competition prizegiving,” Adamson said.

Early bird entries close March 14 but parents and caregivers can still register children for the event right up until March 27.

Adamson said the competition will run nearly exactly the same as last year with only a few changes.

Competition categories will be communicated in coming weeks but Adamson did not anticipate much change.

The entry fee would also remain the same price at $15 per entry.

Adamson 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.

“We have some great sponsors this year, and local companies are still asking to sponsor, so we haven’t got a prize pool yet. Our two platinum sponsors are Grace Anderson Bower Real Estate, and Out of The Wild Pet Food.”

For more information, or to register children for the early bird prize draw, email:kidshuntingandfishingcomp@gmail.com before March 15. Registrations will be accepted until March 27.