ABSTRACT: Understanding the role of exploited predators is essential to managing the indirect ecosystem impacts of trophic cascades, however, size-dependent interactions are often overlooked. Snapper Chrysophrys auratus are widely considered an important predator of the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus on northeastern New Zealand rocky reefs. Both species are linked to a fishing-induced trophic cascade, which can result in an ecosystem shift from macroalgal forest to urchin barrens. However, limited information exists on the relative importance and size of E. chloroticus in the diet of snapper on rocky reefs. Gut contents were collected from adult snapper (≥30 cm fork length) caught by recreational fishers on shallow rocky reefs. Evechinus chloroticus was the most dominant taxa, found in 42% of snapper and contributing 30% of total gut contents. Evechinus chloroticus were also consistently found in gut contents across the adult size range of snapper (30-80 cm), and snapper ate larger individuals than previously thought (up to 110 mm test diameter). The size of E. chloroticus consumed was strongly related to snapper size, and maximum urchin size was limited by snapper gape height. These findings indicate that snapper, in particular large snapper, could play a more important role as sea urchin predators than previously assumed. Investigating size-dependent predator-prey interactions is essential for effectively managing the ecosystem effects of fishing, as changes in size distribution can significantly influence a predator population’s role within an ecosystem.