A junior angler's broadbill world record shines a light on the depth of talent coming through in New Zealand game fishing.
Few things generate excitement in game fishing circles quite like a world record, and when the angler is a junior, the whole community tends to celebrate together. Off the Bay of Plenty coast near Whakatane, Lockey Hawtree did exactly that, landing a 108.80 kg broadbill swordfish that has since been officially certified by the IGFA as the Junior Male 60 kg world record. Caught on 24 May 2025, the fish has already taken on a life of its own in local fishing lore.
Word spread quickly when the result appeared on the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club's weigh board: Broadbill – 108.8 kg – 60 kg line – Angler: Lockey Hawtree – Boat: Jody's Decision.
A straightforward entry for a serious achievement. Broadbill swordfish are creatures of deep, dark water, solitary and powerful, rising at night to hunt squid and baitfish with a long, flat bill built for power and endurance. They are formidable opponents with reserves that rarely run out. That a junior angler could prevail against such a fish on heavy tackle says something meaningful about both ability and determination.
The waters off this stretch of the East Coast have a particular quality. Deep-water canyons, oceanic shoals, and productive offshore edges lie within practical range of trailer boats, without the kind of long running time that puts serious fishing beyond reach. Whakatane anchors the western end of this corridor of blue water. Further east along the coast lies Waihau Bay, one of the most celebrated big-game fishing destinations in the country and a place that holds a firm grip on the Kiwi fishing imagination.
Waihau Bay is a small settlement tucked among steep hills, with a coastline that retains a raw, unhurried character. Its reputation rests on summer marlin seasons, glassy winter mornings, and water that clears quickly and drops sharply to depth. Many New Zealanders encountered it through Taika Waititi's Boy, but anglers have always known it simply as a place where anything can happen.
At the centre of that community sits the Waihau Bay Sports Fishing Club. Founded in 1966, the club has grown to around 450 members and has long championed water safety, responsible fishing practice, and the shared thrill of a strike somewhere out wide. Sitting right on State Highway 35, it places members directly on some of the finest game fishing ground the country offers, and its enduring culture helps keep the region's fishing identity alive and active.
Lockey Hawtree's world record is more than a name in an IGFA register. It speaks to what these waters are still capable of producing, and to a new generation of anglers stepping forward with confidence and skill. For the East Coast game fishing community, it is a moment worth celebrating and a sign that the best stories here are far from over.
