Beazley said keeping the wild pig population in check supported overall forest health.
“So the competition helps us to reduce pig numbers whilst supporting the hunting community.
“It was really centred on the community – there were kids as young as four getting into the forest with their whānau.
“Sharing kai and showcasing culinary flair with the Pork on a Plate event meant we could get even more of the community involved.”
Dozens of wild pigs were culled across three hunting blocks on the island managed by DoC, and private land.
Winners competed across several categories: heaviest boar, heaviest sow, biggest tusk, under 18 years – heaviest pig, and lastly, hard luck story.
Local hunter Tahi Reid said it was great to get the kids involved in the sport.
“We went down some very steep terrain today,” he said.
“With everyone out hunting this weekend, it was tricky to find somewhere no one was going.
“Last time we had a pig hunting competition over here, down at Claris club, I was only a little grom.”
He took his children out for two sessions on the first day – both a day and an evening hunting session.
“No sleep tonight – gotta do round two for hunting.”
There are three hunting blocks on Aotea where hunters are encouraged to get out naturing and enjoy the bush in the open season from February 15 to December 15 each year.
Hunters must seek a permit and can bring dogs in most areas if they have a current kiwi-avoidance training certificate.
Aotea pig hunting competition winners
Heaviest boar
Wayde Blackwell and team
Heaviest sow
Barney Scott and team
Biggest tusk
Wayde Blackwell and team
Under 18 yrs – heaviest pig
Waikari Wii and team
Hard luck story
Evander Sykes
Under 18 yrs – hard luck story
Nixie Davenport
Pork on a Plate winners
Pakeke (Adults), first place – Evander Sykes
Rangatahi (Youth), first place – Phoenix Beazley
Tamariki (Children), first place – Jarred Beazley, second place – Michael Beazley