Sponsored: Woody Hunt Returns with Bigger Prizes

It is time to dust off the hunting gear, round up the mates and family, and get ready for one of Marlborough’s much-anticipated King’s Birthday Weekend traditions.

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

The annual Woody Pig and Deer Hunt is back for 2026, bringing with it bigger prize money, more spot prizes, plenty for the kids and the same grassroots spirit that has helped turn the event into a firm favourite for hunters and families across the region.

Held over Friday 29 May, Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May, the hunt is once again hosted by the Woodbourne Tavern in Renwick, with the big weigh-in taking place on Sunday from 11am until 2pm. Prizegiving for the Whippersnappers will begin at 3pm, followed by the Young Guns and Open sections from 4pm. Entries close on Thursday 28 May.

For Woodbourne Tavern owners, siblings Rowan Ingpen and Stacey Goodwin, the hunt is a huge undertaking, but one that has become part of the fabric of the community.

“It’s logistically huge but a great way to support the community,” says Rowan. “We couldn’t do it without the wonderful sponsors involved including Houston Motors, Marlborough Motorcycles, Hunting and Fishing, and many others. The Renwick Volunteer Fire Brigade and Maori wardens also help.”

Cutting across eras

The event had its beginnings before the family took over the tavern in 2010, originally in a simpler form as a pig hunt. Over the past 15 years, Rowan and Stacey have helped shape it into the larger, more structured, family-friendly event it is today.

“We get many repeat entrants,” says Rowan. “We’ve got competitors now who weren’t even born when it started, and we’ve got people who were kids competing who now have families of their own, and their children are competing. It’s very multigenerational.”

Last year, around 600 entries came in across all categories, with people travelling from as far away as Waimate and the North Island to take part. Rowan believes the reason the event continues to grow is because it has stayed true to what it was always meant to be.

“We stick to our grassroots,” he says.

While there are impressive prizes on offer, the Woody Hunt is not only about who brings in the biggest animal. In fact, one of the reasons it appeals to such a wide range of people is that everyone who enters is in with a chance.

“We’ve taken the focus off just the heaviest animal,” Rowan says. “It’s about the average, and it’s about being entered and getting out there. It doesn’t matter if you have a dud weekend and catch nothing, you’re still in the hunt for a big prize.”

That philosophy helps keep the event relaxed and welcoming. It is competitive but not intimidating. It is a chance for experienced hunters to test themselves, for younger hunters to learn, and for families to spend time together outdoors.

Rowan says hunting also creates opportunities for younger generations to learn from those who have spent a lifetime in the bush. “There are so many great older generations who know so much about the flora and fauna. You watch them and listen to them, and they can tell you what this tree is.”

The 2026 event includes sections for all ages. The Open category is for those aged 16 and over, with pigs and deer accepted and two animals per entry. The Young Guns section, for those 16 and under, includes pigs and goats, also with two animals per entry. The Whippersnappers section, for children 10 and under, includes hare, rabbit and possum, with one animal per entry.

Spirit of giving

There are plenty of prizes to keep things exciting. The Open section major prize is a 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS 4x4 valued at $24,990.

The Young Guns major prize is a new Suzuki DRZ125 Big Wheel valued at $4,999, while the Whippersnappers have the chance to win the Kawasaki KFX50 valued at $4,495.

There are also plenty of other prizes including a second-hand CF Moto UFORCE 600 valued at $13,999, hunting and fishing packs, and goodie bags for the younger entrants.

Rowan says the increased prize pool means there will be more spot prizes this year, including prizes for people who simply come on the day.

The event also gives back. This year, fundraising will support Pelorus Netball, continuing the Woody Hunt’s focus on helping others in the community.

The Sunday weigh-in is always the heart of the weekend, bringing hunters, families, supporters and curious locals together at the Woodbourne Tavern and is accompanied by food supplied by the Fun Seekers Leisure Marchers, face painting and fun activities.

As always, safety remains a key message. Entrants are expected to follow the terms and conditions, have permission to hunt on properties, obtain the correct permits and follow the seven basic rules of firearm safety.

For Rowan, the real success of the Woody Hunt lies in its mix of community, tradition and time spent outdoors. Whether entrants bring back a trophy animal, a rabbit for the Whippersnappers section or nothing at all, they are still part of a weekend that has become about far more than the weigh-in.

It is about mate-ship, family, fresh air, shared stories and the kind of local hospitality that has kept people coming back year after year.