Kahawai Campaign

The final thrust of the Kahawai Campaign Booklet placement program has been completed. There are less than 500 recycled Booklets left in stock; these are being distributed with a note advising that in the attempt to keep costs to a minimum we have re-used Booklets that have been returned. Feedback has been positive.

If you have already returned your Campaign Booklet, thank you. If you still have your Booklet and feel you have exhausted all avenues to gather financial support for the challenge feel free to return the Booklet in the envelope provided in the support pack.

Tee shirt sales are going well although we still have plenty in stock, at $20 each they are great value and look good too. Many are being purchased and worn as team uniforms during fishing contests. This is such a great way to make a statement and have some fun at the same time.

Public Awareness

Updates

A major effort went into developing the Kahawai Update #13 for the NZ Fishing News and an online version. Much of the time was spent with Paul Barnes developing what started out to be a letter to the kahawai Booklet holders and has now been completed as an Update. The Proportional Allocation – The Simple Truth document is the simplest yet most comprehensive coverage of the proportional allocation argument presented to the public so far. No doubt it will improve with further effort.

Online Kahawai Update #14 was distributed on December 20th. The Update included the option4 Xmas prize draw and congratulations go to Barry Kearney of Te Atatu, Auckland for winning the main prize– a Black Magic BSX reel, reel bag, BSX KLC rod and travel tube valued around $499. This is another fantastic product from the Black Magic team. Black Magic are great supporters of the Kahawai Legal Challenge. For every KLC rod sold Black Magic donates $10.00 to the Challenge for the benefit of all recreational fishermen.

There were 36 other prize winners, check out the link to see if you were one of them.

The Update generated the most response to date with many more people keen to get involved, get stuck in and help with the fundraising effort. Well done team.

Television

The program recorded for the Tangaroa show on Maori TV will be shown in February, date to be confirmed. It includes great coverage of a days fishing on Muriwai Beach with Paul Barnes and Trish Rea and also the first hui of the Hokianga Accord held at Whitiora marae, Te Tii, Northland. The program features Pio Terei interviewing Jeff Romeril, Naida Glavish, Scott Macindoe and Paul about the kahawai challenge and other fisheries related issues.

0900 KAHAWAI

The issue of non-delivery of the 0900 KAHAWAI (0900 52 42 92) activity disc to a Red Beach address has been resolved. It is now being delivered to an Auckland address to ensure a more reliable service.

Support

It is heartening to talk to so many people who have had the vision to see the issues raised by this court case are much bigger than kahawai, that it is in fact a struggle to defend a right, which has always been ours, from those who are determined to take it from us. Fishing for food and fun is a national pastime and a heritage - one we simply must protect for our children's sake.

The challenge team of the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council, the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council and option4 appreciate the support being given to the campaign by so many individuals, clubs, organisations, sponsors and the campaign underwriters. With this support the legal challenge team has been able to get on with putting together the best case possible to present to the judge. With the court date looming we are looking forward to an interesting year ahead.

Legal Challenge

The case management conference with Justice Heath was held on December 13th and June 6th has been confirmed as the date set aside for the Kahawai Legal Challenge to be heard in the Auckland High Court.

As indicated, commercial fishing interests have filed a counterclaim with the High Court challenging the Minister’s 2005 kahawai decision. This adds to our team’s challenge of the Minister’s 2004 decision for kahawai. This is an interesting development and we look forward to responding to the claim with our own arguments in due course.

Want More Info?

The Challenge team need your support to continue the campaign.

If you have any queries, t-shirt orders or need to know more information please call 0800 KAHAWAI (0800 52 42 92) and talk to one of our help team.

The kahawai website has all the latest information for those who have online access. There is also a secure online donation facility. All donations go directly into the Kahawai Challenge Fund.

To all the people who have dialled the 0900 KAHAWAI (52 42 92) over the past month thank you. Your $20 donation is appreciated. Please feel free to do this more than once, as it is an easy way to support the team representing your future fishing interests.