Fabulous fishing in Oakura

Being in a country with a population of just over four million and a coastline the same length as the main part of the east cost of America, Ernie was hopeful of loads of space for a spot of fishing.

But he picked the day the Ngunguru Fishing Club holds its competition in Oakura, about four hours from Auckland in an area called Northland.

A club member put aside the traditional rivalry between Australians and New Zealanders to give Ernie some tips on the finer points of angling.

Ernie is an excellent student and is welcomed aboard for the competition, where he can't help but keep count of the catches.

If you not keen on catching fish, diving is well worth the effort off the coast of the Poor Knights Islands - a marine reserve. The story about how the islands got their name is almost as good as the diving.

Ernie describes his underwater adventure as mysterious, kelpy and dramatic. The fish life is abundant with schools of fish clearly visible from the boat deck.

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