Support and innovation for commercial fishers and the seafood sector

Funding for innovation

The fishing industry is constantly adapting to change. It’s important to consider what changes might mean for your business. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund invests in programmes focusing on change.

Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures

Māori Agribusiness funds

There are several funds available to Māori to develop innovative solutions to improve outcomes and create benefits for the Māori primary sector.

Find out more about these funds

Fishing vessel technology

Are money constraints making it hard to buy the equipment you need to do electronic catch and position reporting? Talk to technology providers to see if they can offer payment options.

Electronic catch and position technology providers

Search past NZ fisheries and seafood related projects – Seafood Innovations Ltd 

Search international ICES-FAO working group on fishing technology and fish behaviour (WGFTFB) 2023 report  

Search Australian research and funding – The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) 

Search innovation projects archive – UK Seafood Innovation Fund

Search American gear innovation projects – NOAA Fisheries

FishServe

FishServe can help with any permit holder-related questions. For example, they can help if you need to give evidence that a fishing permit has been cancelled.

Contact FishServe

Seafood New Zealand

This non-profit organisation represents the recent merger of Fisheries Inshore New Zealand and the Deepwater Group to form an umbrella lead agency for the commercial finfish sector.

Seafood New Zealand works with and for fishers on engagement with government and others on operational matters, policy, legislation, and regulation that affects the industry. It also provides information and resources to support fishers on topics like dealing with harassment and bullying, managing environmental interactions, and communications support.

Its vision is to lead a thriving seafood industry that creates value for all New Zealanders from a healthy marine environment.

Seafood New Zealand

Te Ohu Kaimoana

Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust (the Māori Fisheries Trust) is a representative organisation. It works to protect iwi and Māori customary and commercial interests in fisheries and the marine environment. The trust provides advice to (and is guided by) the recognised iwi organisations. It aims to protect and enhance the interests of iwi and Māori in fisheries-related activities.

Who we are – Te Ohu Kaimoana

New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen Inc

This organisation represents the interests of owner-operator commercial fishers in New Zealand. The Federation represents its members' interests at national, regional, and local association levels. Where possible, it also represents its members' interests at an individual level.

New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen Inc

New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council

This organisation represents the interests of the rock lobster industry in New Zealand. It works with regional CRA Management Area Councils (CRAMACs) to support and represent quota owners, processors, exporters and fishers.

NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council (NZ RLIC)

Pāua Industry Council

This organisation is the national umbrella service agency for the 5 regional commercial stakeholder groups representing commercial pāua fishery interests.

Pāua Industry Council Ltd

New Zealand Fishing Industry Guild

This is the fishers’ union that represents individual commercial fishing workers (as individuals). They offer a number of benefits to members. Their website has information which includes details on pre-employment and industry training offered by education providers.

Qualifications – New Zealand Fishing Industry Guild

Contact Us – New Zealand Fishing Industry Guild

Aquaculture New Zealand

This is the aquaculture industry's national representative organisation. Its members come from the mussel, salmon, and oyster farming industries. Its purpose is to:

• support and protect the industry
• provide leadership and advice
• foster partnerships to enable growth.

Aquaculture New Zealand

There are many organisations that can help you prepare and support your business through challenging times and help it grow.

We've listed some organisations that can offer business support and advice, including:

• financial advice to help you make key decisions about your future
• essential business skill advice that could help improve your current practices
• essential business skill advice to help you to grow or change your business for the future.

Māori Business Growth Support

You can use this service if:

• you identify as Māori
• your business is an independent entity based in New Zealand.

The service can provide you with:

• business support
• advice
• connections to help you.

Its focus is mainly on small to medium-sized enterprises. This is a service from Te Puni Kōkiri.

Māori Business Growth Support 

Te Puni Kokiri 

Business Mentors New Zealand

Business Mentors New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation. It helps businesses when they:

• need financial help
• are experiencing issues innovating and staying productive
• are determined to grow.

Business Mentors New Zealand 

Regional Business Partners Network

The Regional Business Partners Network can give you a whole-of-business view on your business and help you connect with the right resources and experts so you can build capability and grow. This national network of people can provide help when you want to grow your enterprise efficiently and effectively.

Regional Business Partners Network 

These government and other agencies provide information and services around business and employment.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

MBIE has information to help you explore other ways to support your business. This includes finding ways to improve your finances.

Getting financial advice – Business.govt.nz

Inland Revenue

Inland Revenue has information for businesses that are losing money. This includes how you can use a loss to reduce future taxable income.

My business is making a loss – Inland Revenue

Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ)

WINZ is the branch of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). It offers support services for businesses that experience any change, such as downsizing. They can work with you before and after business changes to help your employees with any transition.

How we can help – MSD

WINZ also has information on Jobseeker Support. You can apply for Jobseeker Support online. 

Jobseeker Support – Work and Income

Heartland Services

Heartland Services is a branch of MSD. It helps people living rurally with a wide range of government services. There are 28 service centres around the country. You can access services and information there, and arrange meetings with government agency representatives.

Heartland Services

Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

The CAB offers free, confidential, independent information and advice to New Zealanders. They cover topics like employment and business, money, health, and wellbeing. You can search for topics on their website, visit a local branch (no appointment needed), or call them on 0800 36 72 22

Citizens Advice Bureau

A free, confidential service, FirstMate New Zealand, is available for commercial fishers, aquaculture farmers, and their whānau.

It is operated by people from within the sector who understand the challenges that you might be facing.

FirstMate can be reached any day between 7am and 10pm by calling 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438).

They can talk you through anything that’s worrying you, and help with business advice, counselling, and a range of other services.

You can also contact FirstMate through its website.

FirstMate New Zealand 

Reach out to your usual supports – family and whānau, friends, and workmates. Sharing how you feel and offering support to others is important.

If you feel you are not coping, it's important to talk with a health professional.

The best place to get help is your general practitioner (GP) or local mental health provider. Each district health board (DHB) website has a list of local mental health service providers.

Find your local DHB website – Ministry of Health 

Lifeline

Call 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)

0800 WHATSUP

Call 0800 942 878   (0800 WHATSUP) (from 12pm to 11pm) or chat online (from 3pm to 10pm): www.whatsup.co.nz 

Depression Helpline

Text 4202 or call 0800 111 757

Call or text 1737 any time

www.1737.org.nz