NZFH4X4 BIG FOUR

Event Overview The NZ Fishing, Hunting & 4x4 (NZFH4X4) Big FOUR is a brand new event, run in association with the NZFH4X4 Expo. It’s a fun and community-driven competition that invites hunters, fishers, and offroaders to participate across four classic New Zealand game categories: Any Red Deer, Wild Boar, Male Ring-neck Pheasant, and Rainbow Trout. This event is proudly delivered in collaboration with Eastern Fish & Game, the Rotorua Deerstalkers Association, and Bay of Plenty Pig Hunting Club. Participant must carry all applicable legal and current licence

Competition Dates

• Briefing Day: Wednesday 20th August 2025, morning at Energy Events Centre, Rotorua, exact times TBC

• Hunting Period: From after the briefing on 20th August until 11:59am Sunday 24 August 2025

• Weigh-In Day & Prizegiving: Sunday 24th August 2025 at the Energy Events Centre, from 12pm

• Trout Weigh-In: Trout may be weighed in at the NZ Fishing Hunting & 4X4 Expo any time before 12pm Sunday 24th August

Entry Details - Limited to 30 Teams!

• Team Entry Fee: $250

• Team Size: Up to 5 participants (limited number of teams accepted)

• Entry Deadline: Wednesday 13th August 2025 (no changes permitted post deadline) - UNLESS SOLD OUT PRIOR.

• Identification Required: All team members must present photo ID and applicable licences (firearms, game bird, trout, etc.)

Briefing

• Held at Energy Events Centre, Rotorua on Wednesday morning 20th August exact time TBC

• At least one team member must attend to collect starter packs and hear rule amendments

Species & Eligibility

• Eligible Species: Any Red Deer, Wild Boar (boars only), Male Ring-neck Pheasant, and Rainbow Trout

• Not Permitted: Sows, hen pheasants, or any animals not harvested during the event timeframe

• All species must be presented in edible condition and not frozen

Game Preparation Requirements All preparation and weigh-in criteria are aligned with best practice standards observed in long-standing national hunting events (e.g., Stoney Creek Big Four, Fiordland Big 3):

• Boars: Completely gutted; nuts in, pizzels out

• Red Deer: Completely gutted; nuts out, pizzels out, and throats removed, no offal at all,

• Trout: Must be whole (not gutted), presented fresh (not frozen), and meet minimum length requirements as per Fish & Game NZ regulations. Trout should be stored on ice and brought in a moist, cool condition.

• Pheasants: Must be male, with tail feathers attached, and presented dry and intact

• Any entries not meeting these conditions may be rejected or incur a preparation fee if corrections are necessary on site.

Weigh-In

• Location: Energy Evens Centre, Queens Drive, Sunday 24th August

• General Weigh-In: 12pm to 2pm (no late weigh ins, if you late you are disqualified)

• Trout Weigh-In: Trout may be weighed at the venue anytime prior to 12pm Sunday

• One of each species per team may be entered. No substitutions allowed

• All entries must be in a fresh, unfrozen state

• The weigh master and committee reserve the right to reject any entry suspected of freezing, being inedible, or improperly harvested

Scoring System

• Team Prizes: Based on closest to average metrics for each species. Lowest cumulative score across categories wins

• Individual Prizes:

• Heaviest Boar & Stag (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• Best Stag (Douglas Score)

• Best Boar (Hooks - Douglas Score, intact jaw required)

• Best Pheasant (Quality Score based on weight, tail bars, spur length)

• Best Rainbow Trout (Condition Factor)

Prize Categories (TBC)

• Major Team Prizes – 1st to 3rd Place

• Individual Species Winners

• Spot Prizes and Early Bird Draws

Prize Eligibility Requirements

• All prizes must be collected at prizegiving or by 12pm Monday 25th August

Conduct & Disqualification

• No hunting from helicopters

• All boat users must comply with maritime safety regulations

• Aggressive or unsafe behaviour will result in disqualification and potential ban from future events

• Any suspected dishonesty (e.g. frozen game, illegal methods) will result in team disqualification

• All participant fishing must have a current Eastern Fish & Game License. Licence Details click here

• All participants hunting Game Birds must have a valid and current game bird license - detail about licence here

Spot Prizes & Raffles

• All attendees at prizegiving wearing event tees are eligible

Contact & Enquiries Email: Events@intrinsicevent.co.nz
Website: www.wildnzexpo.co.nz

Note: These rules are subject to change and will be confirmed at the official briefing. The event organiser reserves the right to amend or clarify rules as needed.