Kaipara hosts rare hunt event

 

By Julia Wade

Tradition, pageantry and the baying of hounds echoing through Maungaturoto’s surrounding hills signalled the beginning of an age-old event recently, not seen in the district for over 30 years. 

The Northern District Hound Show was held at Maungaturoto Country Club on March 23, only the third such event hosted by Kaipara Hunt since 1999. Members from 10 Hunts from as far south as Rotorua, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, descended on the grounds, dressed in traditional outfits with coat colours and collars distinctive to each Hunt, parading and positioning nearly 100 Harrier Hounds for the judge’s appraisal. 

Over 10 classes were competed for, with categories including the number of seasons hounds have hunted and how many have sired or produced a champion. A Huntsmen horn-blowing competition was also part of the event. The Supreme Champion Hound was won by Pakuranga Hunt shown by their Huntsman Guy Mariner Kaipara Hunt Master for five years, Valerie Nelson says The Northern District Hound Show is held every three years with the North Island Hound Show and New Zealand Hound Show held in between. 

“The Hound Show was a great success,” she says. “We received very favourable comments from the other Hunts on a great venue, a well organised and run show with great hospitality. A credit to Kaipara Hunt.” 

New Zealand has 28 Hunts scattered from Northland to the deep south of eastern Otago, with each group owning a pack of hounds and operating under New Zealand Hunt Association’s rules and regulations. 

An official code of conduct is followed to ensure good sportsmanship and appropriate behaviour especially when riding on private land. Masters have the ultimate responsibility and the final word for everything regarding the Hunt, including the kennels and upholding the golden rule that hunting is a sport of chasing ‘a hare in its wild and natural state’ and ‘nothing must be done to compromise this rule’.

Kaipara Hunt has 60 riders from Warkworth, Mangawhai, Maungaturoto and up to Ruakaka, meeting twice a week to pursue hounds hot on the trail of a darting hare, across consented private property. The Hunts 23 working four-legged members live together with their pups in a local kennel, looked after by a fulltime caretaker.  

“Living and working together keeps them tight in their pack,” Nelson says. “Otherwise if the owners take them home they become pets.”

Two Mangawhai women have had long associations with the Kaipara Hunt. Long term committee member, 89-year-old Stella Woolnough who only jumped down from the saddle ‘a few years ago’, and Jo Hall, 79, and former Master for 20 years, who still rides today. They agree that the hook of the hunt is the thrill of the ride. 

“Once the hare is in sight, the hounds are up, the horn is blown and the chase is on, it’s an adrenaline rush,” Hall says. “However the hunt is also about the comradery of the other riders… it’s non-competitive, a personal challenge and social… it’s a wonderful sport.”


From left, Kaipara Hunt Master Val Nelson, committee member Stella Woolnough and former Master Jo Hall, enjoy the parade of the Harrier Hounds as judge Murray Thompson has the tough job of appraisal. 

Taupo Master Robin Broderson proudly shows Crusty’s form to the judges.