Free Fish Friday: a thank you to the people behind your Friday fish

Last Friday, Seafood New Zealand teamed up with nine fish and chip shops around the country for Free Fish Friday. The first 50 eligible customers at each store got an extra piece of fish with their order, on us.

The day was about celebrating the people and businesses behind one of our favourite Friday traditions. We also wanted to remind people that three in four Kiwis eat fish every week, but only one in 10 of us catch it ourselves. Most of us rely on a whole network of fishers, processors, suppliers, transport teams and local shops to get it from the ocean to our plates. Here’s a story from fisher Keven Saunders and fish and chip owner talking about what they contribute to the industry: What’s really behind your Friday night fish and chips?

Our partner shops

Each shop has its own story, and we’re grateful to every owner for getting behind the day:

• Fish to Fish, Whangārei: Brad and Dagny Leggott, a former commercial fisherman and his partner, buy exclusively from small, family-run Northland boats.
• Mairangi Bay Fisheries, Auckland: Kelvin and Christine Chow have served their community for more than 20 years.
• The Wharf, Thames: Janene Mustafa and Caroline Dally run a fish shop, takeaway and café on the historic Shortland Wharf.
• Wellington Seamarket, Cuba Street and Lower Hutt: The Basile family business, with a connection to local fishers going back decades, have a newly opened Lower Hutt store. You can read or watch their story here.
• Milton Street Gourmet Takeaway & Café, Nelson: Chef-owner Tony Carpenter serves fish and hand-cut chips to a loyal local following.
• Hokitika Townchip, Hokitika: Andrew Lyes serves West Coast species like rig, elephant fish and blue cod.
• Little Fish Co., Christchurch: Part of the family-founded United Fisheries, headed by chef Andrew Brown.
• Erik’s Fish & Chips, Queenstown: Harri Sylva and Ben Clist carry on the Erik’s legacy, including a 100% coeliac-safe, gluten-free menu.
• Harbour Fish, Invercargill: Fisherman Damon Cooper and his brother, Aaron, with managers Greg and Barbara King, whose family seafood history goes back more than 100 years.

How it went

Free Fish Friday was a hit. Customers loved the extra serving, and staff used the day to talk about where their seafood comes from and the people behind it.

In Hokitika, one regular who always orders elephant fish enjoyed the fish of the day so much that he said he’d be changing his usual order. Another customer in Wellington thought it was amazing kaupapa and loved how it highlighted the importance of eating fish that came from Aotearoa. You can view the video on Facebook.

Want to be part of it?

Free Fish Friday took place at nine selected stores, but it doesn’t stop there. If you own or run a fish and chip shop and would like to be involved in the future, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact: [email protected].