Following on from the now internationally recognised Kubota Billfish Classic, a second event is now being organised to develop a New Zealand wide series and bring the tournament to the marlin rich waters of the Bay of Islands.
Last year the 2025 Kubota claimed the title of the world’s biggest fishing tournament with 440 teams entered and around 1,800 anglers and for 2026 the tournament is already sold out with entries of 460 teams.
It also rates as the highest levels of prize money of any tournament running in New Zealand. With cash prizes of over $1,000,000 being up for grabs, and you don’t even have to catch a fish with many of the prizes being lucky draws such as a Kubota Excavator worth $135,557.
Kubota have had a long and successful history with this growing tournament, and it keeps growing every year and their exposure grows with it.
Kubota started when this tournament was founded in 2019 and put up around $40,000 worth of prizes and in 2026 they committed to prizes of around $153,000. This reflects the success that Kubota have had through brand exposure from the event.
Following this success many of the teams have asked for the format to be extended to the Northern coast of New Zealand where the highest catch numbers for marlin are recorded.
Supporting this move is the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, one of the oldest saltwater fishing clubs in the world and a leader in New Zealand with the development of sustainable fishing practices.
The CMP Construction Northern Billfish Classic will have a direct association with the current Eldorado Tournament one of New Zealand’s oldest game fishing tournaments, with links back to Zane Grey’s connection to the Bay of Islands and his famous book about New Zealand game fishing The Anglers Eldorado.
With the Kubota event alongside this new event the CMP Construction Northern Billfish Classic, we now have a national series.
Coverage of the CMP Construction Northern Billfish Classic will appear on New Zealand and International media sites
Contacts:
Trevor Woolston Olivia Beauchamp
PO Box 166 Paihia 0247 olivia@trucker.co.nz
trevor@trucker.co.nz Mob 027 6855066
Mob 027 4925600