A night and a day at lovely Oakura Bay on the Whangaruru Harbour, north of Whangarei, gave me a brief glimpse into a complex man who has spent a large slice of his life fishing and diving this part of New Zealand’s coastline.
Despite have trained as a primary school teacher and travelled widely – including working with Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta – Justin was dawn back to the district where the family bach was a magnet every summer holiday during his youth.
Today the beachfront bach has been extended into a comfortable home for Justin and his wife, Ngawai, and is also the base for their a-Oakura Fish, Dive and Cruise charter business.
Behind the property on the hillside, overlooking the bay, another Smith family home offers accommodation options suited to fishing parties, families and other groups.
Having lived and taught in the north for many years, Justin is fluent in Maori and in recent years his teaching has largely been directed at working with young Maori helping them to engender pride in their achievements. It is a talent he also carries into his business – many a novice fisherman has returned beaming with satisfaction after a day on the water with Justin. Experienced fishermen appreciate the quality gear provided and learn new skills as they target big snapper and kingfish.
It is, of course, appropriate that he has great respect for the sea and the bountiful food supplies it contains. Justin’s home was my last port of call and we arrived there late afternoon. The warmish day was beginning to cool with a breeze coming in from the sea. We sat outside chatting amiably but there was a small tug of war going on between Justin and I.
He won and strangely, I did enjoy the experience. What’s more, the fish were biting! We pulled in a fair few although most too small for the pan so back to the sea they went. However, considering we were only metres off shore, it was amazing to catch anything at all.
Fortunately, a half hour before setting out, Justin had insisted I swallow a couple of “Paihia bombs,” anti-seasick tablets. They more or less did the trick. A bit of nausea, yes, but on Justin’s advice I looked to the horizon and survived! Then, when we made a final port of call to quickly check a couple of pre-set crayfish pots, we were again rewarded.
Frankly, I think I’d still be sitting on Justin’s porch had I not agreed to heave ho. As it was, I soon saw why so many people, especially first-time fishers, love going out on Justin’s charters which start as low as $50 per person. For a reluctant fisherman such as I, he provides sound instruction, sets the lines and as quickly as his clients pull in the fish, he hands over a new line, saving them the task of removing the catch from the first.
We only had an hour or so on the water and between us hooked at least a dozen snapper of which two were big enough to bring home. Justin wasted no time cleaning them, wrapping them in tin foil and popping them in the smoker. Forty-five minutes later we were tucking into our fish with delicious garlic butter, smoked crayfish too – great stuff.
As we prepared to return to Auckland I was tired but more than content. It had been an outstanding day with our fishing trip only hinting at what bounty lies within the Whangaruru Harbour. For sure a weekend of fishing with Justin is an escape many good mates would hanker after. The thing is – just do it.
