The Inaugural Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup: A Triumph of Passion and Legacy

Following a 5-year hiatus, as a result of the COVID pandemic, a group of McKay staff, located in our Whangārei office, formed a committee and decided it was time to reinstate the McKay Staff Shield, not only to restart the annual competition but to pay tribute to McKay patriarch, Joe Faithfull.

For many of our staff, clients, and partners, Joe Faithfull is more than just a name; he was a legend in his own right. A strong presence, who spent an incredible seven decades spearheading McKay’s journey of growth and success. But beyond his business expertise, Joe was passionate about snapper fishing, and his love for the sport was well-known – as was his ‘stomach of steel’ when sailing.

Having passed away in October 2015, the McKay committee proudly decided to honour Joe by re-launching the McKay Staff Shield as the Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup, reviving a valued tradition, and acknowledging Joe’s memory, forever recognised in the legacy of McKay.

Hosted in Whangārei, the inaugural Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup was open to all staff members across the McKay group of companies, with fishing areas spanning from Home point North of Oakura, out to the Mokohinau Islands, and down to Bream tail – reflective of earlier years of the competition, when the competition took place around Oakura Bay, where Joe, with his wife Jackie, enjoyed their Oakura bach.

Taking place over the 15th and 16th of March 2024, the competition was a measure-only contest, reflective of McKay’s push for more sustainable practices. This meant that fish caught were measured and photographed before being returned to the ocean within a minute of landing.

Amidst the very windy conditions and grey skies, 27 anglers from Northland, Auckland, and Tauranga, tested the limits of their skill in pursuit of catching the longest snapper and being awarded the Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup Trophy. A prize designed, carved, and sculpted by McKay National Marine Manager, Ben Haselden from recycled timber repurposed from our Whangārei workshop.

After a close competition, it was Web Developer, Carla McKinney who received the Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup trophy for her 52cm snapper, with Louis Marsh (MGE) being awarded Longest Kahawai at 55cm, Bruce Little (family member) winning Longest Trevally at 39cm and Longest Kingfish being jackpotted.

As the awards and prizes, thanks to our generous event sponsors Penn Reels NZ, Scott Electrical, and Firstflex Cables, were handed out, it was fantastic for Joe’s son and McKay Managing Director, Lindsay Faithfull to share a few words about Joe and what it would have meant to him to see everyone out there enjoying our diverse ecosystem and more importantly the tall stories afterward of what could have been.

As the event committee reflects on the success of the inaugural Joe Faithfull Snapper Cup, we thank National Marine Manager, Ben Haselden, Marine Supervisor, Mark McCullough, EGM Technology, Mark McGinley, and Electrical Supervisor, Johnny Wilkinson for their time and hard work in organizing the event.

We look forward to seeing the competition grow.