The official organisation promoting and advocating for safe & sustainable use of our natural fisheries resources by Recreational Spearfishers
2026 WFSC World Freshwater Spearfishing Championships
10th to 14th of March, 2026, Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, 8 Arataha St, Motuoapa, Lake Taupo, New Zealand
This World Freshwater Spearfishing Championship is hosted by Spearfishing New Zealand with permission from Ngāti Tuwharetoa, the owners of Lake Taupō, and the generous support of the Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, Wettie NZ and Desolve Supply Co.
Lake Taupō is suitable for competitors of varying skill as it ranges from deep to shallow, is warm, with no currents, and the water is quite clear. The species we hunt in the lake is the invasive Brown Bullhead Catfish. You will be able to shoot as many of these as you can manage to rid the Lake of this destructive pest.
Awards will be given to the top pairs in the following categories:
Men's Pairs
Women's Pairs
Junior Pairs (Under 18 on the 13th of March)
Master's Pairs (55 and over on the 13th of March)
Mixed Pairs (Man + Woman, Junior + Man/Woman)
The overall top pair will also be recognised.
Entries for each country are restricted to 2 pairs per category except for the host country with 4 pairs per category and the next host country at 3 pairs per category.
Registration:
$450 NZD per adult diver, $250 per junior diver
Includes competition entry, lake usage fee, competition jacket + T-Shirt, all food supplied at the Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club events mentioned in the program.
Event Schedule:
Tuesday 10th March
Informal get-together for those who have arrived, Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, 8 Arataha Road, Motuoapa.
Thursday 12th March
Compulsory safety briefing/roll call and Maōri welcome, Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, Nibbles provided.
Friday 13th March
First day of competition, Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club
7.30 am - Compulsory Safety Briefing/Roll Call
8.30 am - In the water
2.30 pm - Out of the water
3.00 pm - Weigh-in and roll call starts at Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, food provided. Bar open to purchase drinks.
3.30 pm - Roll call finishes
Saturday 14th March
Second day of competition
7.30 am - Compulsory Safety Briefing/Roll Call
8.30 am - In the water
2.30 pm - Out of the water
3.00 pm - Weigh-in and roll call starts at Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, nibbles provided. Bar open to purchase drinks.
3.30 pm - Roll call finishes
6.30 pm - Prize Giving, Motuoapa Fishing and Boating Club, Meal Provided, Bar open to purchase drinks.
Please respect the club's licence and don't bring your own food and drink onto the premises.
This is a World Championships. Entry is restricted to competitors who have either been selected by their country's spearfishing governing body to compete or by invitation of Spearfishing New Zealand.
You must read all of the information below, including the Rules, Information Pack and Terms and Conditions, and ensure you have permission from your country's spearfishing governing body before booking.
Rules
Information Pack
Terms and Conditions
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This event is run by volunteers. All entrants, and the caregivers of junior competitors, acknowledge that competitors attend at their own risk and will follow all rules, instructions, and safety guidelines of the event organisers. All competitors must attend all of the safety briefings prior to the event starting and scheduled by the organisers.
The WFSC was last held here in New Zealand in 2019. See the event details and results here: 2019 New Zealand
For more information and fun side-trips, contact:
Darren Shields
Wettie Spearfishing
darren@wettie.co.nz