Top New Zealand brands celebrate significant anniversaries

Two major New Zealand companies are celebrating significant anniversaries this year.

Tackle developer and distributor Black Magic Tackle – the company that created the Equaliser stand-up game fishing harness and gimbal (main picture) which is now sold worldwide – celebrated its 30th year in business last month. Its owner, Rick Wakelin, started working from his garage in Auckland on mail orders for chemically sharpened hooks sourced from Japan before getting into bricks and mortar retailing and distribution. In the latter years Black Magic Tackle has developed lures and terminal tackle.

Its fascinating journey is recorded here

Another of the county’s long-established tackle businesses – Composite Developments – marks its 40th year. Owned and run by the Johansen family, it is headed by Marty and wife, Sue (below), with son, Tom, now involved.

Grant Dixon, Managing Editor/Director of New Zealand Fishing Media, told Angling International: “CD exposed the world to top-end fly rods manufactured using the revolutionary helical wind of pure graphite and resin along with light tackle graphite rods – the latter under the Albegraph marque. For many years these were designed and made in New Zealand before production headed to its own factory in Asia.

“CD’s latest product, which is gaining in popularity, is the TRYCD concept. This is where anglers can match several butt, middle and tip sections, all contained in a triangular fly rod case, using the combo that best suits the scenario they are faced with. There are both fresh and saltwater options which are great for travelling anglers in particular.”

CD is the New Zealand distributor of Okuma, Savage Gear, Flambeau, Toad Fish, Platypus, TT Lures and Pakula products among other popular brands.