2026 Whangarei Deerstalkers Pairs Shoot Match Report

By Hamish Orr

On Sunday 29th of March, our club hosted its very first Pairs Shoot — and what a fantastic success it was. The event exceeded expectations and has well and truly earned its place as a future annual fixture on the Whangarei Deerstalkers calendar.

The concept behind the Pairs Shoot is simple but powerful: pair an experienced shooter with a Junior or Novice, introduce them to a friendly competition environment, and let them experience just how fun, rewarding, and downright addictive our sport can be. Judging by the smiles, laughter, and impressive shooting on the day, the idea worked perfectly.

We were incredibly fortunate to receive both national and local sponsorship, which added huge value to the event. A massive thank‑you goes to our generous supporters:

• Swazi New Zealand, for supplying prizes for the top three Junior shooters on the day — a sponsorship they generously extend to every NZDA branch each year.
• Spread the Word, for donating two dinner vouchers to Flames Restaurant.
• ITM Mangawhai, for the branded beanies and jerseys.
• Parker Lime Co, for supplying two Gun City vouchers.

Support like this makes events such as this possible, and it was hugely appreciated by everyone involved.

We had 12 teams competing, made up of a fantastic mix of combinations — Father and Daughter, Father and Son, Uncle and Nephew, Young Love, Husband and Wife, and Mother and Son, just to name a few. Teams ideally shot rimfire at 50 m and centrefire at 100 m, with both team members completing one sight‑in session each. Three teams opted to shoot rimfire at both distances.

Junior and Novice shooters used front and rear rests throughout the day, while senior shooters rotated through the standard four shooting positions across the two distances. It was incredible to see how quickly the younger shooters settled in — and when you put them behind a fully supported rifle, wow… they can really shoot.

At the end of the competition, aggregate team scores determined our top three Junior shooters and the top three teams overall. I was lucky enough to pair up with my nephew, Noah, who was competing for the very first time — and only his second time ever on the range. I couldn’t be prouder of how he performed and embraced the day.

We wrapped up the shoot with a BBQ and soft drinks while final scores were tallied, followed by prize‑giving. All prizes were drawn (except for the Swazi‑sponsored Junior prizes), ensuring everyone had a chance to take something home and adding to the relaxed, inclusive feel of the day.

If this sounds like a great day out — trust me, it was — start lining up a Junior or Novice teammate for next year now. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a new shooter gain confidence, fire their shots downrange, and walk away buzzing with excitement. This event showcased exactly what our club is about: community, mentorship, and a shared love of shooting.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year.

Pairs Shoot – Whangarei Deerstalkers: March 2026

Top 3 Juniors

1st Noah (283.1)

2nd Joe (258)

3rd Cat (254.5)