Waitangi Seafoods

The secret to the flavour of the 2025 Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion Waitangi Seafoods, Blue Cod Fillets could be their respect for the environment. Their Blue Cod Fillets are celebrated for its exceptional freshness, flake quality, and flavour; recognition which is testament to the quality of the product and to the sustainability practices that underpin every part of Waitangi Seafoods’ operations.

As a 100% locally owned and operated business on the Chatham Islands, Waitangi Seafoods has built its reputation on responsible fishing and community care. The company actively promotes sustainable fishing through self-imposed off-seasons during critical reproduction periods, ensuring the longevity of Chatham Island kaimoana by ceasing production for a crucial time to avoid overconsumption. All Blue Cod is pot-caught, allowing fish to be measured and recorded before being safely returned to the sea if undersized, while deep-sea species are line-caught to minimise environmental impact. These practices not only protect marine ecosystems but also guarantee the premium quality of the seafood that reaches consumers.

Sustainability extends beyond the water. Kina shell by-products are utilised in organic fertiliser projects, and fish waste is repurposed into bait for the crayfish industry. This process provides a full cycle of employment, with staff engaged in manufacturing bait to ensure year-round work. The company has restored an abandoned factory at Port Hutt, continuously upgrading it with energy-saving improvements, and established a strategically located plant outpost station to reduce travel and energy use for truck drivers and fishermen.

Waitangi Seafoods’ commitment to people and community is equally strong. The company owns three staff housing facilities, offering accessible and discounted accommodation to local employees. It provides paid study time for staff to gain seafood industry qualifications through Te Pūkenga and supports countless community initiatives, including the CI Jockey Club, CI Fishing Club, The Den, Golden Oldies, and Te One School. Looking to the future, Waitangi Seafoods is developing a new venture to sustainably grow and harvest oysters, creating jobs and introducing a new dynamic to Chatham Island seafood. The company is an active member of the New Zealand Fin Fish Association, contributing to industry studies, and its director also serves on the Quota Management Company for the Chatham Islands, helping shape sustainable fisheries policy.

Waitangi Seafoods’ award-winning Blue Cod is more than a product of pristine waters—it is the result of a business deeply committed to sustainability, innovation, and community. Their story demonstrates how environmental responsibility and product excellence go hand in hand.