Support for commercial fishers and the seafood sector
Fisheries New Zealand understands there are many challenges faced by fishers, aquaculture farmers, their whānau and communities. Find out about regional and national services that can provide help and advice with health, wellbeing, and making business decisions.
COVID-19 SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
For advice and information freephone the COVID-19 helpline on 0800 77 99 97.
Or visit the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website:
Industry advice and guidance
Seafood New Zealand – COVID-19 information
Aquaculture New Zealand – COVID-19 resources
Financial relief for your business and staff
Wage subsidies and leave payments – Work and Income
Tax relief and income assistance – Inland Revenue
You can also freephone Work and Income on 0800 40 80 40.
Managing your mental wellbeing
A free, confidential, and independent fisher wellbeing service is available for commercial fishers. It's run by an ex-commercial fisherman and his team. It's open for calls between 7am and 10pm.
- Freephone 0800 23 74 38.
Outside of these hours, phone or text 1737. If it’s an emergency, phone 111.
Support within the fishing industry
Before making significant decisions that will impact your business, we recommend that you get in touch with your local or regional networks in the fishing industry.
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 and their website contains a wide range of information, including details of tertiary institutions providing pre-employment and industry training.
New Zealand Fishing Industry Guild
New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen Inc
This is a national body that represents the interests of owner-operator commercial fishers in New Zealand. The Federation represents members' interests at national, regional, and local association levels and, where appropriate, on an individual basis.
New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen Inc
Fisheries Inshore New Zealand
This non-profit organisation was established by quota owners, ACE holders and fishers to work together to advance their interests. Its mission is to provide dynamic and transparent leadership, inform decision making and actively engage with members, officials and other stakeholders.
Te Ohu Kaimoana
Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust (the Māori Fisheries Trust) is the representative organisation that 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, to protect and enhance the interests of iwi and Māori in fisheries-related activities.
Aquaculture New Zealand
This is the national representative organisation that brings together members from the mussel, salmon, and oyster farming sectors as the single voice for New Zealand aquaculture. Its purpose is to support and protect the industry, provide leadership and advice, and foster partnerships to enable growth.
Changes to your business
It’s important to remember that there are many agencies that can help to prepare and support your business through challenging times, and help it to grow. We have listed some organisations that can offer business support and advice. This may be financial advice to help you make key decisions about your future, or essential business skills that could lead to improvement in your current practices, or allow you to grow or transform your business for the future.
Māori Business Growth Support
A service from Te Puni Kōkiri. If you identify as Māori and your business is an independent entity based in New Zealand, this service can provide you with business support, advice, and connections. Its focus is mainly on small to medium-sized enterprises.
Business Mentors NZ
Business Mentors New Zealand Limited is a not-for-profit organisation committed to helping businesses when they need financial help, or are experiencing issues innovating and staying productive, or are determined to grow.
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. They are a national network of people who can provide help when you want to grow your enterprise efficiently and effectively.
Regional Business Partners Network
Other support services
A number of Government and other agencies also provide information and services relating to business and employment.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
MBIE has information to help you explore alternatives to support your business, including finding ways to turn around your finances.
Getting financial advice – Business.govt.nz
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue has information for businesses that are making a loss, including 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) that 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.
WINZ also has information on Jobseeker Support. You can apply for Jobseeker Support online. FishServe can help with any permit holder-related questions (like providing evidence that a fishing permit has been cancelled if you need this).
Heartland Services
Heartland Services is a branch of MSD that 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.
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, and health and well-being. You can search for topics on their website, visit a local branch (no appointment needed), or call them on 0800 36 72 22.
Fisheries New Zealand
Help and support is also available from Fisheries New Zealand. Phone 0800 00 83 33 and ask for one of our fisheries team to contact you.
Technology providers
Are financial constraints are making it hard for you to buy the equipment you need to carry out electronic catch and position reporting? Talk to technology providers to see if they can offer payment options.
Industry innovation
It’s important to consider what changes to the fishing industry might mean for your business.The fishing industry is constantly adapting to change, and MPI has initiated the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) to fund transformative programmes.
Worried about your own or someone else’s mental well-being?
Reach out to your usual supports – family and whānau, friends, and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important. We also recommend sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and exercising.
If you feel you are not coping, it is 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 includes a list of local mental health service providers.
If you prefer to talk to someone else:
Fisher wellbeing service
A free, confidential, and independent fisher wellbeing service is available for commercial fishers. It’s run by an ex-commercial fisherman and his team.
- 0800 23 74 38 (between 7am and 10pm).
Lifeline
- 0800 54 33 54 (0800 LIFELINE).
- Or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7).
0800 WHATSUP
- 0800 94 28 78 (0800 WHATSUP) (from 12pm to 11pm).
- Or chat online (from 3pm to 10pm).
- www.whatsup.co.nz
Depression Helpline
- 0800 11 17 57
- Or text 4202.