It is your responsibility!!

Please note that the following rules apply to the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic event – not the Take a Kid Fishing competition (while running in conjunction, the TAKF is a separate competition).  

1.   Eligible Earlybird entrants who record or weigh in an eligible fish will receive two entries in the Top 5 Boat Draw. An entrant may only hold one position in the final Top 5, regardless of the number of entries they hold in the qualifying draw

2.  All participants in the 2026 Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic must hold a current fishing licence. Licences are available from Fish & Game website. Entrants may be required to provide proof of a valid fishing licence at any time during the competition, including at weigh-in or prizegiving

3. Children may separately enter the Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing Comp held at McGregor Pond as well as the main competition Child Lake category.

4. To qualify for the Stabicraft Boat Draw, an eligible adult entrant must either record an eligible fish through the Catch & Release App or present an eligible fish at the official weigh-in.

5. Entrants may record more than one eligible fish through the Catch & Release App. Fish entered through the App are judged by length for the relevant Catch & Release prize categories.

6. Only one fish per entrant may be physically presented at the official weigh-in. Physically weighed fish are judged by condition factor or weight for the relevant weigh-in prize categories. If an entrant physically weighs in a fish, all Catch & Release App entries submitted by that entrant become ineligible for Catch & Release prize categories

7. No fish taken from McGregor Pond may be entered in the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic competition.

8.       Only trout, salmon and perch legally caught from Lakes Te Anau, Manapouri or the Upper Waiau within the tournament period are eligible for entry

9. Regulations set out by Fish & Game for the waters of Lakes Te Anau, Manapouri & the Upper Waiau must be adhered to.

10.   No paper forms will be accepted.  If you are unable to enter online, staff will be able to assist you at Fishing Headquarters over the weekend. Final cutoff for entries is 2pm Saturday 24th October 2026

11.   All entrants presenting a fish at weigh-in MUST provide their individual entry QR code. QR codes are sent to the email address supplied at the time of entry.

12.   Fish presented for weigh-in must be gutted, not beheaded, chilled, and in an edible condition and over 30cm in length. Officials may reject any fish they consider unsuitable.

13.   No fish are to be caught prior to 2.00pm on Friday 23rd Oct.

14.   No fish will be accepted after 2.00pm Sunday 25th Oct. (must be in weigh in queue prior to 2pm)

15.   The Stabicraft major prize is open to registered Adult entrants aged 18 years and over who hold a valid fishing licence and have qualified for the Boat Draw in accordance with these rules. Five finalists will be selected from all eligible Boat Draw entries using a random number generator. An entrant may only hold one position in the final Top 5. The five finalists will then take part in the Barrel Draw to determine the winner of the Stabicraft major prize

16.   Trout – best condition factor weighed in (Men, Women, Junior & Child Lake categories) 1st,2nd,3rd

17.   Perch – Heaviest physically weighed fish – Overall 1st place.

18.   Salmon – Heaviest physically weighed fish – Overall 1st place.

19.   Fish recorded on the App - longest (Men, Women, Junior & Child Lake categories) 1st,2nd,3rd

20.   Furthest travelled (if multiple from same area, then by lucky draw)

21.   Best hard luck story - judges' choice

22.   Hard Luck prize - random draw from eligible entrants who did not record or physically weigh in a fish

23.   Entrants must be present at the prize giving to be eligible for all prizes - unless prize giving is virtual due to very bad weather.

24.   The boat shall remain the property of the Promoter until 1st August 2027 at which time ownership shall be transferred to the Winner.

25.   The Promoter shall lease the boat to the winner from Sunday 25th October 2026 until 31st July 2027 for the sum of NZ$5.00. On 1st August 2027, ownership of the boat shall be transferred to the winner. The winner shall ensure that the prize is fully insured for the period of the lease and provide the organiser with proof of insurance 

26.   The above rule may be voided, and the lease cancelled only on the receipt of a letter of approval signed by the Managing Director of Stabicraft Marine Ltd and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee and posted to the Organising Committee at PO Box 74, Te Anau 9640, or emailed to [email protected] 5 working days prior to the intention to cancel the lease.

27.   In the event of extreme adverse weather or any other eventuality that requires the event to be cancelled, postponed or suspended, a decision would be made by the Committee and Safety Officer in consultation with local Police and relevant emergency services and authorities where appropriate.

28.   All skippers must comply with any safety directions issued by the Event Safety Officer, including directions relating to weather and water conditions.

29.   All boats and skippers must comply with current Southland navigation safety bylaws and requirements. All vessels must carry at least two forms of working communication at all times. Suitable forms may include VHF radio, EPIRB, flares and a cellphone where coverage permits. The Fishing Classic Committee strongly recommends a working VHF radio as one of these forms of communication. For safety purposes, boats should display a boat name or registration number.

30.   Appropriately sized lifejackets must be carried for every person on board all vessels. Lifejackets must be worn at all times on vessels 6 metres and under and at any other time where required by current navigation safety rules. The Fishing Classic Committee strongly recommends that all persons on board, regardless of vessel length, wear a lifejacket at all times.

31.   All skippers must fill in the “Skippers Two Minute” form.  Forms are available online.  The purpose of the “2-minute form” is to assist Search & Rescue in the case of an emergency on the water, so the information provided needs to accurate and truthful.  

32.   Didymo is present in Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, and the Upper Waiau River. Please “Check, Clean & Dry” all boats and equipment. Watercraft and their trailers coming into the competition waters should be checked for unwanted organisms. e.g. Lagarosiphon water weed

33.   Members of the organising committee are ineligible for any prize.                                                                    34.   Any breach may result in disqualification at the discretion of the Tournament Chair, in consultation with the Organising Committee where practicable. The Committee’s decision is final.

35.   By entering the tournament, entrants agree to these Tournament Rules and the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic Terms & Conditions

36.   A proportion of entry fees contributes towards securing the following year's Stabicraft major prize.

37.   Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Prizes are awarded for the personal use of the registered winner and must not be advertised or offered for resale, including through online marketplaces or social media. A prize may only be claimed by the registered winner, and any attempt to have another person claim a prize may result in that prize being forfeited.

By entering the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, entrants acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms & Conditions and the official Tournament Rules.

1. PARTICIPATION & RISK

Participation is at the entrant’s own risk. Fishing, boating and associated outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including changing weather, water and environmental conditions. Entrants are responsible for assessing conditions and ensuring they have the appropriate skills, equipment and ability to participate safely.

Entrants must make their own decision as to whether conditions are suitable for them, regardless of whether the event is continuing. Skippers are responsible for the safe and lawful operation of their vessel and the safety of all persons on board. The Organising Committee may suspend, postpone or cancel all or part of the event where conditions present an unacceptable risk.

2. COMPLIANCE WITH TOURNAMENT RULES

All entrants must comply with:

• the official Tournament Rules;

• applicable Fish & Game regulations;

• current navigation and boating safety requirements;

• applicable biosecurity requirements; and

• reasonable instructions given by the Organising Committee, Event Safety Officer or event officials.

Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

3. FISHING LICENCES

Entrants must hold any fishing licence required for the competition and comply with all applicable fishing regulations. Proof of a valid fishing licence may be requested at any time, including at weigh-in, on the water or prizegiving.

4. BOATING & SAFETY

Entrants using a boat or other watercraft are responsible for ensuring it is safe, appropriately equipped and operated in accordance with current legal and navigation requirements. Entrants and skippers must comply with event safety procedures and any additional safety instructions issued due to weather, lake or river conditions.

5. EVENT CHANGES, POSTPONEMENT OR CANCELLATION

The Organising Committee may alter, suspend, postpone or cancel all or part of the event due to weather, water conditions, safety concerns, emergencies or circumstances outside the organisers’ reasonable control. Safety decisions will take priority over continuation of the competition. Any changes will be communicated to entrants as soon as reasonably practicable.

6. REFUND POLICY

The following refund policy applies where an entrant chooses to withdraw, Booking fees are non-refundable where an entrant chooses to withdraw.

• Up to and including 20th Sept 2026: Full refund of the event entry fee.

• 21st September to 18th oct 2026: 50% refund.

• From 19 October 2026: No refund.

If the event is cancelled, postponed or materially altered by the organiser, refunds or alternative arrangements will be dealt with in accordance with applicable New Zealand law.

7. PRIZES

Prize eligibility and conditions are subject to the official Tournament Rules. Prizes are awarded only to the registered winning entrant and are subject to any specific conditions applying to that prize. Specific conditions apply to the Stabicraft major prize, including the lease and ownership requirements set out in the Tournament Rules.

8. DECISIONS & DISQUALIFICATION

The Organising Committee may investigate any suspected breach of the Tournament Rules or these Terms & Conditions. A breach may result in disqualification from a prize, category or the tournament. Where practicable, decisions will be made by the Tournament Chair in consultation with the Organising Committee. The Committee’s decision is final.

9. LIABILITY & PERSONAL PROPERTY

Entrants remain responsible for their own actions, safety, equipment and property. To the extent permitted by law, the event organisers, Organising Committee, volunteers, sponsors, contractors and associated parties will not be responsible for loss, damage, injury, expense or inconvenience arising from participation in the event. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions limits any rights or liabilities that cannot lawfully be excluded under New Zealand law.

10. PRIVACY & PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal information collected through event entry will be used to administer and deliver the event, including communications, safety management, results and prize fulfilment. Information may be provided to event contractors, service providers or prize sponsors where reasonably necessary to deliver the event or fulfil a prize. Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Entrants may request access to, or correction of, personal information held about them.

11. RESULTS, PHOTOGRAPHY & PROMOTIONAL USE

Entrants acknowledge that their name, competition category, results and prize information may be publicly published. Photography and video may be taken during the event and used by the organisers for event reporting, promotion and future marketing. Prize winners may be named and photographed for publicity purposes, and relevant information may be provided to the applicable prize sponsor.

12. INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ENTRANTS

Entrants are responsible for ensuring information supplied during registration is accurate and complete. The organisers are not responsible for an entrant failing to receive event communications where incorrect or incomplete contact information has been supplied.

13. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By completing an entry, the entrant confirms that they have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions and the official Tournament Rules, understand the risks associated with participation, and agree to comply with applicable laws, regulations and safety requirements. Where an entry is made on behalf of a child or young person, the parent or legal guardian completing the entry accepts these Terms & Conditions on their behalf.

14. WEIGH IN TIMES
ALL WEIGH IN ARE AT Fishing HQ – Te Anau Rugby Club Rooms, 21 Dusky Street, Te Anau
Friday – 6pm – 7pm
Saturday – 4pm – 7pm
Sunday – (final weigh in) 11am – 2pm

Please click here to complete 2min skipper form
Every boat, no matter how big or small, must have a skipper.