After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the NZ Fishing News hosted ‘Vava’u International’ is set down for late October. 

The pandemic played havoc with all the Pacific Islands’ tourism programmes and the Kingdom of Tonga was no different and is in recovery mode in 2023. 

World Traveller NZ’s principal Craig Corbett and Tongan Beach Resort’s owner Shane Walker have put together the basis of the event, working alongside contest hosts NZ Fishing News. While airline schedules and bookings have yet to be confirmed, the tentative dates when this issue went into production are October 20-27. 

The schedule is likely to be a little different. Participants will fly Air Fiji out of Auckland and overnight in Fiji before landing in Vava’u the next morning. The return journey will be a little easier, flying into Nadi and then onto Auckland in one day. 

While it might have the grandiose title of ‘Vava’u International’, the event is designed to introduce anglers to the opportunities this popular South Pacific fishery offers with trophies rather than big money or prizes at stake.

The tournament is an opportunity to experience South Pacific fishing in a friendly, fun environment. 

If you are keen for a South Pacific angling experience with a small but likeminded group, with a chance of tangling with a blue marlin and other tropical species such as wahoo, sailfish, mahimahi and yellowfin tuna, then do we have a deal for you!? 

This year’s event, the 19th, will again be fished out of the Tongan Beach Resort which is right on the sheltered shores of the Port of Refuge harbour, Vava’u, Tonga.?This is an idyllic setting where the emphasis is on laid-back hospitality, ensuring the participants get a true feel for the island way.? 

Fishing takes place with teams of four over four days, with crews drawing for a different boat each day.? 

At this stage, several crews from previous years have indicated they will be returning to catch the ones that got away on the last trip! Places will be limited to the number of boats available – first in, first served. 

For more information and to secure your spot, contact Grant Dixon at [email protected] (0274 925 533) or World Traveller NZ’s consultant Treena at [email protected] (07 349 7444).