News | Wairarapa on Tour – Te Anau Sporting Clays Weekend

Updated: Oct 10

Te Anau Sporting Clays – A Great Weekend for the Wairarapa Crew

The Wairarapa Clay Target Club had a strong showing down south recently, with several of our members making the long trip to the beautiful Fiordland town of Te Anau for a weekend of sporting clays at their South Zone and South Island Championships.

Representing the Wairarapa were Reno Verde, David Donald, and James Mackie — all putting in solid performances over two great days of competition.

On Saturday, the South Zone Champs kicked things off with stunning weather, challenging targets, and plenty of friendly rivalry. James Mackie took out 3rd place in AA Grade after a shoot off, while the rest of the crew weren’t far behind the prize spots. A huge thank-you goes to the Te Anau Clay Target Club for putting on such a fantastic event — beautifully set courses, friendly faces, and one of the most scenic places you could ever shoot.

The “unofficial” Otago vs Wairarapa Challenge also added some spice to the weekend. Saturday saw Team Wairarapa — David Donald and James Mackie — take a narrow win over Team Otago’s David and Harley Quinn by just three targets after a tense finish on the last stand. On Sunday, the tables turned as the Otago lads came back strong to even the score, giving us a 1-all draw for the weekend. The rematch will no doubt be settled at the next road-trip shoot!

Sunday’s South Island Champs capped things off perfectly, with David Donald shooting strongly to claim 3rd place in B Grade.

All in all, it was a weekend that summed up everything great about our sport — good mates, great competition, and the kind of camaraderie that makes every trip memorable.

More Than Just Shooting – Wairarapa Club Spirit

At Wairarapa Clay Target Club, we’re proud of how our members get out and about across the country. For us, being part of this club isn’t just about turning up at our local ground — it’s about being part of a community that travels, supports each other, and shares a lot of laughs along the way.

From our most experienced shooters to newcomers just getting started, everyone’s welcome to come along on these trips. We often travel together, share accommodation, have dinners out, and enjoy some great banter and storytelling after the shooting’s done. Whether it’s your first event or your fiftieth, there’s always one of our members keen to help, encourage, and make sure you’re part of the team.

These weekends are as much about the people as they are about the targets — seeing new parts of the country, learning from others, and making friends with like-minded people from all over New Zealand. It’s the best kind of road trip — one with shotguns, laughter, and plenty of clay dust!

So if you’re new to the sport, or if you’ve been thinking about getting more involved — come join us. Bring your mates, bring your family, and get amongst the fun.

Because that’s what being part of the Wairarapa Clay Target Club is all about. 💥