Hiwi the Kiwi - January 2010

Look out for this rig around the main centres this summer season, and give yourself a chance of winning it via the Hiwi the Kiwi raffle.

Relevant offers

Fishing

The taming of 'Troutzilla' Blokes & their Boats - February 2012 The ITM Fishing Show - February 2012 'Ten marlin in one day' reunion Guide to Auckland boat ramps February Issue on Sale Now January issue on sale now Blokes & Their Boats - December 2011 The ITM Fishing Show Blokes & their Boats - November 2011

As we approach a new year, it is probably a good time to reflect on the Hiwi the Kiwi Fishing for the Future programme.
The project was initiated by the NZ Big Game Fishing Council in an effort to bring fishing to the attention of the nation’s youngsters.
As a sport, angling was ‘aging’, and it was felt young people needed to be introduced to its benefits at a young age.

Hiwi the Kiwi was already in existence. Mark de Lacy, aka The Minstrel, had Hiwi as the vehicle to bring a positive message to young people as part of his in-schools project. It was a simple matter to give Hiwi some tackle, a life jacket, and a bucket of fish, courtesy of NZ Fishing News designer and artist Bryn Nealie, change the message slightly, and the HTK Fishing for the Future programme had a base from which to grow from.

To make the message work, the programme had to have validity within the school curriculum. Enter Marilyn Small, the deputy principal at Whangarei’s Manaia View School. Coming from a passionate recreational fishing family, Marilyn used this, along with her education background, to develop the work unit for schools, and thus Hiwi the Kiwi Fishing for the Future was up and running.

In the second half of 2009 The Minstrel and Hiwi the Kiwi visited some 90 schools spreading the fishing, water safety and conservation message. He was often accompanied by members of representative NZBGFC-affiliated clubs in the region, with liaison officer, Evan Mackay, and Profile promotional boat in tow.

While schools pay a small stipend to have The Minstrel at their school, the council has guaranteed the shortfall to the tune of $300,000 over three years.
To support this, the council is running a major raffle, with a Profile 520c boat/motor/electronics/ tackle/safety gear/trailer package – valued at $48,000 – the main prize, thanks to Profile Boats and Firmans Marine, Yamaha Marine, Kilwell Sports, Hutchwilco, Electronic Navigation and DMW Trailers.
Details on how to get a ticket are available elsewhere on page 83.

The boat
Some lucky person is going to drive away next March with a $48,000 boat package attached to their towball.
The Profile 520c is a trailerboat with big capabilities, be it inshore fishing for the likes of snapper, cod and tarakihi, to offshore adventures targeting marlin and tuna. The boat will fit in the average-sized garage, and is suitable for a variety of boating activities.

Being a pontoon boat it is particularly stable and inherently safe. The hull is manufactured from 5mm marine-grade alloy, while the pontoons and cuddy are 3mm thick, offering strong construction and a soft ride. Overall the length is 5.2 metres.
Other features include a bimini top to offer shade and shelter, while access to the ground tackle is via a good-sized hatch in the cuddy.

Seating is by way of twin upholstered pedestal seats, and the steering is a rotary system. There are plenty of grab rails situated conveniently around the hull, and there’s a non-slip gunwale walk-around as well as a deck-tread cockpit floor for added grip.
A Portofino-style stern with a wave deflector (with the latter an important feature for both beach launching and soft-plastic fishing, when a sea anchor is deployed from the stern), are features of the ‘blunt’ end, as are two duckboards port and stern. The divers will appreciate the ladder.

Storage throughout the boat is extensive and no space is wasted. There is an enclosed stern storage for battery and oil reservoirs. Wide side pockets swallow up the likes of landing nets, gaffs and boat hooks, and there is more storage in the cuddy.
Four rod holders grace the gunwales, with more rod storage in the rocket launcher, which is part of the bimini-top support.

Hanging off the transom is a Yamaha 70hp two-stroke outboard. This brand has a reputation for reliability, and as safety is one of the topics promoted by Hiwi the Kiwi, a Yamaha outboard is a fitting addition to the rig.

At the helm station is one of the best trailerboat electronic combos around: the Furuno GP7000F chart-plotter and sounder. These units, while highly spec’d, are easy to operate and come with the latest cartography. Rounding out the electronics is a Uniden Oceanus waterproof VHF, an essential bit of kit.

The rig is on a single-axle, purpose-built DMW Trailer, complete with a spare and jockey wheel, along with submersible lights.

Rounding out the prize is a set of Hutchwilco lifejackets and Kilwell Sports fishing tackle – everything you need to head out for a safe and productive day on the water with your family or friends.

The boat will be in the main centres over the summer period, and tickets can be obtained from NZ Big Game Fishing Council affiliated clubs, Hunting & Fishing stores and other tackle outlets, or by using the order form on these pages. You can also log on to www.hiwithekiwi.co.nz to find all the ticket outlets nationwide. At just $5 each, or a book of 10 for $40, they are a great investment in the future, not to mention offering a chance to win a great boating/fishing package.  
 
 
FISHING SAFELY
By Luke Reece, Waverley School

The Minstrel came to our school,
He had a message that was really cool,
He taught us how to be safe out at sea,
And how to fish properly.
Our kai moana is getting low,
So leave the baby fish to grow;
Let the mum and dad fish go too,
They need to have more fish it’s true.
But don’t worry that there’s nothing left to snatch,
As the mid-sized fish are okay to catch;
Use a ruler to measure that fish on your line,
Because if you don’t you’ll get a fine.
Make sure that when you’re out on a boat,
Your lifejacket’s on so if you fall out you will float.
Also have safety equipment on board, too,
So that if something happens you can help your rescue.
Go fishing and have lots of fun,
And don’t forget to slip, slop and slap when out in the sun.
So bye for now and don’t forget,
That it is better to catch fish on a line than in a net.

- © Fairfax NZ News