Upcoming Events
Event Details
2027 National Championships
The SNZ National Championships are the pinnacle of competitive spearfishing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Held annually, Nationals brings together the country's best spearfishers for a week of competition, camaraderie, and celebration of our sport.
January 19-24, 2027 | Tairua, Coromandel
Event Details
2027 Rosemergy Catfish Cull
The Rosemergy Catfish Cull is SNZ's annual freshwater pest removal event held at Motuoapa on Lake Taupō. Catfish are an invasive pest species that damage the lake's ecosystem — the cull is a practical kaitiakitanga event that combines competitive spearfishing with meaningful environmental action.
Hawaiian slings and pole spears only are permitted, keeping the event true to traditional freediving spearfishing. All fish harvested are removed from the lake, contributing directly to the health of the Taupō fishery.
Motuoapa, Lake Taupō | 13 February 2027
Accommodation
We’ve negotiated a 15% discount at the Motuoapa Bay Holiday Park. Use “SPEARFISH” as promo code for any the week prior and weekend of the event dates.
2027 Rosemergy Catfish Cull proudly sponsored by
Holders and Challengers
Bluefins Spearfishing Club (Auckland) — Claimed the trophy in December 2025.
Recent Challenge History
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December 2025 (Bluefins vs. Port Valley): Bluefins ended Port Valley’s long defensive reign in a successful end-of-year challenge raid, taking the trophy back to Auckland.
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November 2021 (Port Valley vs. North End Spearos): Port Valley successfully defended off Rangiputa on the Karikari Coast against a 12-diver North End Spearos squad.
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May 2021 (Port Valley vs. Bluefins): Port Valley selected the Hen and Chicken Islands dive zone to hold off a stacked Bluefins challenge.
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December 2017 (Bluefins vs. Team Wettie): Bluefins defended the trophy on home ground against Team Wettie, relying on host privileges and local species selection in a tight battle.
interclub challenge
The Mudgeway Trophy
Deeply rooted in New Zealand spearfishing heritage, the Mudgeway Trophy stands as the ultimate test of interclub strategy, team safety, and regional pride. Named in honor of the pioneering Mudgeway family, who laid the groundwork for organized interclub diving across the country, this iconic "floating trophy" travels across Aotearoa whenever a challenging club dethrones the defenders on their home turf. Built around true team synergy rather than solo glory, the rules actively encourage teammates to assist in landing fish, weaving diver safety and collective tactics straight into the competition's DNA. Defending the Mudgeway is no small feat—every successful defense earns a physically engraved star on the trophy itself, creating a striking visual timeline of historic defensive streaks and regional dominance. Armed with the home-turf advantage, defending clubs pick the dive zone and tailor custom fish lists, forcing visiting contenders to adapt on the fly during the high-stakes summer challenge window from November through May. Rally your squad, check the challenge board, and prepare to write your club's name—and earn your next star—in Kiwi diving history.
Runs November through May