NELSON BIG FOUR

Event Overview

The NZ Fishing, Hunting & 4x4 (NZFH4X4) BIG FOUR is run in association with the NZFH4X4 Expo (Rotorua 14-16 August 2026 and Nelson 16-18 October 2026). It’s a fun and community-driven competition that invites hunters, fishers, and offroaders to participa te across four classic New Zealand game categories known in the host region. Participant must carry all applicable legal and current licence(s).

Competition Dates

• Briefing Day: Held Wednesday morning of Expo event week at the respective venue in Rotorua or Nelson. Exact time TBC

• Hunting Period: From after the briefing on Wednesday of respective event week until 11:59am on expo Sunday

• Weigh-In Day & Prizegiving: Sunday of expo week at the NZ Fishing Hunting & 4×4 Expo venue.

  • All teams must be registered and have collected their weigh in card at the expo venue by 12noon!

• Trout Weigh-In: Trout may be weighed in at the same time as animal weighing.

Entry Details - Limited to 50 Teams!

• Team Entry Fee: $400

• Team Size: 4 participants (limited number of teams accepted)

• Entry Deadline:‍ UNLESS SOLD OUT PRIOR. (no changes permitted post deadline)

  • NELSON - 10 October 2026

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

Briefing

• Held Wednesday morning of Expo event week at the respective venue in Rotorua or Nelson. Exact Time TBC

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

Species & Eligibility

• Eligible Species

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

  • NELSON: Any Red Deer, Wild Boar (boars only), Snapper, and Kingfish

• 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

• Boars: Completely gutted; nuts in, pizzles out

• Red Deer: Completely gutted; nuts out, pizzles 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. Trout must be caught within the Rotorua Lakes and Tributaries of the Eastern Fish & Game region. 

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

• Snapper & Kingfish: Must be whole (not gutted), presented fresh (not frozen), and meet minimum length requirements as per MPI Recreational Fishing rules for the region.

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

Weigh-In

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

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

• Location: NZ Fishing Hunting & 4×4 Expo

  • ROTORUA: Energy Events Centre, Queens Drive, Sunday 24th August

  • NELSON: Trafalgar Centre, Paru Paru Road

• 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 (1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th): Based on closest to average metrics for each species. Lowest cumulative score across categories wins

• Category Prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Nelson):

  • Heaviest Boar

  • Heaviest Stag

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

  • Best Rainbow Trout (Condition Factor) - ROTORUA ONLY

  • Heaviest Kingfish (Complete Fish) - NELSON ONLY 1-3 prize

  • Heaviest Snapper (Complete Fish) - NELSON ONLY 1-3 prizes

Prize Categories (TBC)

• Major Team Prizes – 1st to 4th Place

• Catergory Species Prizes (as above)

• Spot Prizes

Prize Eligibility Requirements

• All prizes must be collected at prizegiving or by 12pm Monday 17th 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 Rotorua participants 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 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.