Snap to It! Backyard Trapping Competition 2026 – Tiakina Whangārei
Please note:
- This competition is only open to backyard trappers living in urban Whangārei.
- Receipt of a trapping kit is not a requirement for entry into the competition. Participants who already own trapping equipment and are undertaking trapping activities may submit eligible catches for competition entry – simply follow the instructions below to register for the competition and we will be in touch.
How to enter
Step 1: Register your interest through our website form.
Complete the form to include the following information:
Preferred Project: Whangārei
I’m interested in: Backyard pest control
Other: Competition (please note whether you require a trapping kit, or not, in this section)
Step 2: Wait for us to email you with further instructions
Step 3: Read the Competition and Submission Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy below.
Snap to It! Trapping Competition 2026 –
Competition and Submission Rules
Who can enter?
- The competition is open to Whangārei urban residents only.
- Participants under 18 years of age must be supervised by a responsible adult, who always takes full responsibility for their health and safety.
- Employees, contractors, and elected members of Northland Regional Council (NRC), and their immediate family members, may participate but are not eligible to receive prizes.
Key dates
- Tuesday 21 April – Competition opens at 9:00am
- Monday 22 June – Competition closes at 8:00pm
Categories and prizes
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
- Most rats trapped
- Biggest rat
- Longest tail
- Gnarliest rat
Prizes
Each category winner will receive a $50 Prezzy Card.
Competition and submission rules
Category One: Most Rats Trapped
This category is points-based.
- Each rat trapped earns one point.
To be awarded points, you must:
- Record each catch through our website ‘record your catch’ form:
https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/record-your-catch/
- Email a photograph of each catch to:
tiakinawhangarei@NRC.govt.nz
Category Two: Biggest Rat
This category is measurement-based.
To enter:
- Record your catch through our website ‘record your catch’ form:
https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/record-your-catch/
- Take a photograph of your catch next to a ruler or tape measure, ensuring the numbers are clearly visible.
- Measurements will be taken from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
- Email your photograph and the measurement to:
tiakinawhangarei@NRC.govt.nz
Category Three: Longest Tail
This category is measurement-based.
To enter:
- Record your catch on our website:
https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/record-your-catch/
- Take a photograph of your catch next to a ruler or tape measure, ensuring the numbers are clearly visible.
- Measurements will be taken from the base of the tail to the tip of the tail.
- Email your photograph and the measurement to:
tiakinawhangarei@NRC.govt.nz
Category Four: Gnarliest Rat
Judging for this category is based purely on the physical appearance of the rat.
To enter:
- Record your catch on our website:
https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/record-your-catch/
- Take a photograph of your catch from an angle that best captures its gnarly features.
- Email your photograph to:
tiakinawhangarei@NRC.govt.nz
Snap to It! Trapping Competition 2026 –
Terms and Conditions
By registering for the Snap to It! Tiakina Whangārei Trapping Competition 2026, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the below Terms and Conditions
Eligibility
- Participants must register online via the ‘register your interest’ tab on the Tiakina Te Taitokerau website: https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/register-your-interest/
- Registration may occur at any time during the Competition period
Registration
- The Competition runs from 9:00am on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to 8:00pm on Monday 22 June 2026.
- Entries submitted outside of this period will not be accepted.
Competition period
The Competition runs from 9am on Tuesday 21 April 2026 until 8pm on Monday 22 June 2026.
Competition rules
- All photos must be submitted via email to: tiakinawhangarei@NRC.govt.nz
- No people are to appear in any photographs submitted.
- By submitting photos, participants certify that:
-
- Each rat caught is recorded accurately; and
-
- Each rat is entered once only per category during the Competition period.
- Participants may begin trapping and submitting entries from the competition start date.
- Receipt of a trapping kit is not a requirement for entry into the competition. Participants who already own trapping equipment and are undertaking trapping activities may submit eligible catches for competition entry.
- Late entries will not be accepted.
- NRC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify participants if it determines that the same animal has been used in more than one entry or category.
- NRC may also disregard any photos that are not of sufficient quality to verify measurements or physical attributes.
- All NRC decisions relating to the Competition are final.
Prizes and Conditions
- A $50 Prezzy Card will be awarded to the winner of each of the following categories:
- Most rats trapped
- Biggest rat
- Longest tail
- Gnarliest rat
Additional prize conditions
- Only the individual who originally registered and entered the Competition may receive a prize.
- The prize draw is not open to NRC employees, contractors, elected members, or their immediate family members.
- Winners will be determined during the week commencing 22 June 2026 at NRC’s Whangārei office (36 Water Street).
- Winners will be notified by phone (call or text) or email during the week commencing 29 June 2026.
- If a winner cannot be contacted after three reasonable attempts, the prize will be awarded to the next closest eligible entry.
- Winners must fully comply with all Competition rules and Terms and Conditions to receive a prize. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the prize.
- Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable.
- By accepting a prize, winners agree to participate in reasonable publicity activities related to the Competition, including the use of names, images, and/or submitted photos on NRC social media channels (including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) and in media releases.
- Winners accept prizes entirely at their own risk and indemnify NRC against all claims, losses, or damages arising in connection with taking or using the prize.
Compliance with law
- Participants (and all team members, if applicable) are responsible for their own health and safety while participating.
- Participants agree to indemnify NRC against any claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, or damages arising from failure to comply with legal requirements or from unauthorised access to property.
Fair Play
- All participants must act honestly, ethically, and responsibly.
- Unsafe practices, fraudulent entries, or breaches of these Terms and Conditions may result in disqualification from this and future competitions.
Disclaimer
- To the extent permitted by law, NRC is not liable for any loss, damage, or personal injury (including indirect or consequential loss) suffered as a result of participation in the Competition.
- Participants take part entirely at their own risk and are responsible for adhering to all safety guidelines and legal requirements.
Privacy policy
By registering, you also acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the information outlined in our privacy policy:
https://tiakinatetaitokerau.nz/privacy-policy/
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact us:
- Email: tiakinawhangarei@nrc.govt.nz
- Phone: 0800 002 004 (ask to speak with the Tiakina Whangārei Project Lead)
Register your interest
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