A popular rural fundraising event is set to return this month, with organisers hoping to build on the success of last year’s inaugural competition.

The Kaimai School Winter Hunting Competition will run from July 8-11, raising funds for the country school while bringing families and the wider community together for a weekend focused on hunting, conservation and outdoor recreation.

Kaimai School PTA members Leon Marshall and Lianne Skellon-Storey are organising the event, which raised about $7000 for the school in its first year.

“We’re hoping to do even better this year,” Marshall said. “We’ve definitely got bigger and better prizes and we’re really hoping people get behind it and support the school.”

Kaimai School, which opened in 1913, is situated on SH29, near the Kaimai Range, about 20 minutes’ drive from Tauranga CBD. It has a roll of under 100 pupils from new entrants to Year 8 and relies heavily on fundraising and sponsorship to provide additional opportunities for its pupils.

“We don’t get a lot of funding, so the school really does need fundraising and support in that way,” Marshall said. “The school relies on that money to give those opportunities to the country kids out here.”

The competition opens at 3pm on Wednesday, July 8, and hunters have until weigh-in day on Saturday, July 11, to capture their entries. Weigh-in will take place from 10am to 1pm at the Kaimai School Community Hall, followed by prizegiving.

More than $10,000 worth of cash and prizes is up for grabs across adult and children’s categories, including deer, pigs, rabbits and possums.

“We thank McLaren Built for being our main event sponsor, and for all the local businesses sponsoring prizes and a huge cash prize,” Marshall said.

A new feature this year is a $1000 cash “possum bounty” prize sponsored by Vantage Drones. Adult entrants will receive one entry into the draw for every possum they bring to weigh-in.

Marshall said the event is about more than fundraising.

“It brings families and the community together while also teaching kids about pest control and conservation,” she said.

Competitors can hunt on land where they have permission to do so, with participants coming from throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.

The event also has a charitable component through a partnership with Hunt for Good and Mr Meat Man. Deer entered in the competition can be donated for processing and distribution to food banks, helping families in need.

“We want people to know it’s a family event,” Marshall said. “There’ll be food, coffee, games and activities for the kids. Even if you haven’t caught anything, come along and be part of the day.”

The organisers said the competition reflects the rural character of the Kaimai community, where hunting remains an important way for many families to source food and connect with the outdoors.

The weigh-in and prizegiving will be held during the Matariki holiday weekend, with registrations closing on July 4.

For more information or to register, visit the Kaimai School PTA Winter Hunting Competition event page on Facebook.