About The Competition
The 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza is arguably the biggest Snapper Surf Casting Competition in the world, a one species fishing competition which runs for 5 days in March on the famous Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē (90 Mile Beach), Northland New Zealand. The cash prize pool exceeds $88,000.00, of course the biggest cash offering goes to the largest snapper of the week a whopping $30,000.00. However don’t think it’s all about size as $10,000.00 is up for grabs for the angler that catches a snapper closest to the average weight of all the fish caught in the competition. The event will still cater for the unlucky angler that doesn’t catch a fish as the lucky draw spot prizes exceed $150,000.00 which includes a $53,000.00 4x4 Ute (RRP). 2020 and 2021 were sell-out’s which attracted 1000 anglers, it is estimated that at each prize giving there is a total crowd attendance of between 1500 and 3000 people enjoying the entertainment.
Jam-Packed Headquarters Arena – 2025
Darin Maxwell, Te Puke, Heaviest Snapper Record Holder Heaviest snapper record in competition history winner Darin Maxwell from Te Puke with 12.030kg landed Wednesday February 29th, 2012
Merchandise available for purchase on site
A brief history leading up to the creation of the Snapper Bonanza.
In 1982 the Brijevich family started the competition then called the Snapper Classic they were the owners of The Park -a camping ground just down the road from the current prize giving site. The competition evolved over the next 27 years into a community project that benefited the many local businesses supplying services, supplies, equipment etc. to the many contestants and their entourages. The local economy received a much needed boost and everyone was happy. In 2006 the competition was sold, the new owners ran it in much the same way as the previous owner, but ran into financial difficulties after the 2009 event. So in 2010 the competition was cancelled. However the 90 Mile Beach Surf Casting Club ran an event for those hardy souls who came North anyway. In 2011 the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza was born, with local businessmen John Stewart and Dave Collard combining their talents to facilitate this Far North iconic event. The bonanza brand has developed into a very strong marketable label and we hope it’s here to stay however without the support of our sponsors the event is not viable, as organisers we urge our anglers and supporters to climb on board and trade with our sponsors as much as possible. Tight Lines John & Dave
Some Of The Prizes Up For Grabs
$30,000.00
Heaviest Snapper Overall & Champions Trophy
$10,000.00
Average Weight Snapper Overall
Massive Spot Prizes
Including a Mitsubishi Triton, MeloYelo Electric Bike, Early Bird Kontiki and a Super Liquor Seahorse Kontiki
Don't miss out on arguably the largest surf casting event in the world
Registration has never been easier. Register online now!
Keep up to date with us on Facebook
Hall of Fame
Rory Collings, Kaitaia
2025 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2025 – 6.635kg.
Zane Kaaka, Te Kao
2024 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2024 – 8.225kg.
Damien Sinclair,
Martinborough
2023 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2023 – 7.485kg.
Dickson Hohaia,
South Taranaki
2021 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2021 – 9.060kg.
Grant Thompson, Auckland
2020 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2020 – 8.285kg.
Dave Rameka, Kaitaia
2019 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2019 – 7.905kg.
Grant Dodunski, Te Puke
2018 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2018 – 8.945kg.
Chris Spurr, Gisborne
2017 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2017 – 6.175kg.
James Benge, Hastings
2016 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2016 – 8.165kg.
Troy Notton, Kamo
2015 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2015 – 8.315kg.
Neil Sides, Kaitaia
2014 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2014 – 9.995kg.
Jeremy Alai, Auckland
2013 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2014 – 9.91kg.
Darin Maxwell, Te Puke
2012 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2012 and new record holder – 12.030kg
Luke Boyes, Christchurch
2011 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2011 – 8.89kg
Our Sponsors
Without them this event would not happen
ID PHOTOS: head & shoulders, hats are ok, smile 🙂
❌ NO 😎 sunnies , 🐟 fish or other 👫people in your photo, if you're photo is not suitable we will send you another link!
It takes 2 seconds and save ALOT of time come registration day. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Are we allowed to use last year's Pic?
Is pulling a face ok ? Asking for a friend
Looking for 3 tickets if any lying around..
Sandy Hobson have you done yours
Justin Carroll
Martinique Johnstone
View more comments
Comment on Facebook
That's me in behind reeling in a 4kg snapper🤙🤣
Chur Nick Machee & Detroit on the cover aye 😊 hope you got your tickets my bro.😎
Looking forward to seeing you guys next year.
Joe Turner
Wicked Nick Machee
Woop woop!! Nick and Detroit 😍😍
View more comments
The easiest thing for us to do is send the whole lot again, so for those of you who did receive the email will get another. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Sweet Baby Jesus you’re doing a great job 👏
Can we please leave baby Jesus out of this korero?
Hi I didnt get second email. Also friend has been issued a ticket number. I havent yet
Hi team just checking I got a recent email for 2 of our tickets but not the 3rd? Still in process?
Snapper Bonanza we still haven't received a confirmation email only from PayPal..?
i do not like that being said
James Carl Baker
View more comments
Just be careful. You are able to sort the selling and buying yourself, but still need to contact us to sort the transfer.
If you need to on sell your ticket please email admin@snapperbonanza.co.nz and we'll contact the waiting list.
You can always message us to confirm sellers details if you don’t know them. ... See MoreSee Less
www.facebook.com
Send a message to learn moreComment on Facebook
Yes I seen that in the comments on last post even after 1 hour after ticket sale it was a picture of a older couple saying they had missed arranged dates or something like that
Wow! Wow! Wow!
We are SOLD OUT for the 2026 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza competition with our major sponsors Gallagher Insurance New Zealand in RECORD time!
A MASSIVE thank you to everyone that loves & supports this comp, our fantastic sponsors, the anglers, followers & supporters.
You would've received your paypal confirmation email, the one from us may still be on the way (you may need to check your spam folders) but please allow 5-10 working days for us to process your tickets and email them out to you. Once tickets are processed we will then email out the link to upload your ID pic.
The waiting list in now active to enter your details
snapperbonanza.co.nz/waiting-list/
We look forward to putting on another epic tournament for you all.
Cheers so much from the Bonanza Team 😁 ... See MoreSee Less
Waiting list - Snapper Bonanza
snapperbonanza.co.nz
Comment on Facebook
I no some1 took day off work, just to get in online.. Hapi days🤦♀️👍🥳 Priorites🤣🤣🤣
Like others waiting on a confirmation, yes have checked spam. Like fishing, patience is key. Hope I put in right email etc lol... more concerned getting the tickets lol
Got tickets.. but no confirmation email???
That sux not enuff tickets but big enuff beach
Dam we always missing out🤦🏽♀️ second year this year have always wanted to give it a go but end up missing out on tickets🤣
Is anyone still attempting to purchase tickets for this event? Due to personal issues I’m willing to sell tickets at lower price less than I paid for them. attempting to regain lost ground. I'd appreciate it if you flick me a direct message after liking my post.🫶❤️
Well done team, slight glitch at 9am, but otherwise it worked smooth as. Got the email return immediately too. Well done on selling out so quick, that’s crazy.
Love supporting this tournament and the far North ! Secured 2 tickets
How many tickets were there? as we wanted to go
Let's go reapers he'll yea brothers
Thanks guys!! Awesome as always.🩷🍻
First time here…. Got tickets - confirmation from PayPal but no confirmation email from camp
Thank you for not crashing this year
Awsome team 👏 thank you 😊
Missed out on
Thanks went online and it went straight through at 9am this morning
Anyone buy tickets and still waiting on email confirmation?
The site crashed straight away but waited an bang got in there 🙌🏽
Phew we got there! Site crashed just after 9am then back up to get our tickets
Awesome looking forward to this !!!
Wow awesome 🙌 shows how popular this is
Wicked!!! Was a slight hic cup at start, but techs on to it & away we went. Smooth as ... Very very glad did not try a little later... like the rest, would like to know if any changes if any as a result of the survey cheers
Just as I went to purchase one 🤦🏻♂️
3rd year on the trot let’s go yeeeeo
Yeaaaa brother you the man let's go Timo Fisher
View more comments