Open pig hunt proves a huge success

Nearly 40 pigs, along with deer, goats, rabbits, hares and possums, made up several walls of bloody fur in the carpark of the Homestead Bar on Sunday afternoon.

The haul was the conclusion of the Wairarapa Pig Hunting Club's Kuripuni Open Pig Hunt 2014, held over Queen's Birthday Weekend.

The Times-Age was not able to find out the prize winners, but the largest pigs weighed in at nearly 81kg.

Organiser Darleen Rameka said the numbers of hunters were a bit lower than usual, but this was the first time the competition had been held on Queen's Birthday.

"We've had great support from our sponsors, and our community," she said.

The largest prize was given to the hunter with the "average" pig, she said, as well as prizes for heaviest.

"We total the number of pigs, find the average weight."

It meant the prize was a matter of chance, she said.

Children as young as 4 assisted their parents and relatives, with a small collection of rabbits, hares and possums - and two goats - judged separately.