Hello everyone,
That time of year has come around again. It seems to arrive much quicker as they years go by.

2017 has been a very good year for the NZACA. We have had a new club join us. They have just gone over the 100 membership mark and that is a huge achievement in this day and age. We have another club going through the Affliation process at the moment and I am looking forward to the new year as I have had some great news of yet another new club joining us with their 70 members and we are talking with several others. We will hit 30 affiliated clubs in the new year.

We have several accommodation providers that have joined us by offering discounted stays for those staying two or more days, we have our Clubplus Power offer, our comprehensive $2million Public Liability Insurance offer to our clubs for the small price of $57.50 incl. GST and of course our securing of Okuma as our Major Sponsor. Their comprehensive cash package plus $1000 of product is a beginning. I am very thankful to have them on board. The NZACA will end 2017 very financially secure and our asset base is just as impressive. The securing of a major Grant to assist in having our alignment and management within the wider fisheries management, including being in attendance at the highest level can only increase the relevance of our organisation.

Over the year we have represented our members at every opportunity. Putting together solid submissions, attending the "Future of Our Fisheries" meetings and also meeting with the Committee put together by the Government to finalise the report. We participated in the recent Randall Bess, NZ Intitative, "Future Catch" right up to attendending the presentation to the new Minister of Fisheries, Stuart Nash, in Wellington. We have taken up action on behalf of our members in issues such as Fisheries Mangement, Stock levels, Deep Sea Iron ore extraction, effluent in streams, spoil disposal, toxic waste, access rights, down to Fishing Comp Rules. We take our place at the NZ Sport Fishing Council's Fisheries Management Sub Committee and meet regularly with the LegaSea Team. I continue to be impressed by the highest of standards that this whole group bring to every level they operate in. I would like to thank everyone from the NZ Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea for your support and continued alignment with the NZACA. I must mention Sam Woolford who has been instrumental in us getting both Okuma and our Grant across the line. The hugest of thanks.

So here we are, closing in on the day the big man comes down the chimney.
I would like to take this time to say thank you for your continued support. For the efforts you have all put in to keep your clubs afloat and to those who take those leadership roles. Congratulations to all those who have grown, those that have held fantastic Fishing Comps for the public and without exception each and everyone of my Executive, which has grown to by the way.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may 2018 be the year you all dream of. Stay safe over the festive season. Tight lines and maybe we will meet on beach somewhere.
Jim Yeoman
President NZACA