The point that's being missed is that the sponsors have pulled out, choosing to put there money into what they believe to be more suited or applicable to there communities needs . They want to see more bang for their buck as all sponsors do. Maybe the locals don't appreciate what a big deal this competition is to a lot of fisho's from all over NZ. And it's the promoters job to project that to them , make them think that they are the centre of the universe.
Saving $15000 on the truck would be a piece of cake with the alternatives that are currently available .
I certainly don't enter comps just for the prizes but it's part of why we go to them , I personally enjoy the whole atmosphere and the challenge of fishing the same piece of coastline as several hundred other fisho's.
Let's hope they get it together as they and the comp have been getting plenty of press.