In the Media

As the peak body for New Zealand’s seafood sector, we engage openly in public discussions about our industry. This page brings together recent media stories featuring insights from Seafood NZ and our members – promoting sustainable fisheries and correcting misinformation.

DatePublicationHeadline & Link
September 2026
NewsroomOpportunity reaches deep to phase out bottom trawling (paywall)
Southland TimesQuota system hurting fish and fishers
Otago Daily TimesSouth Island commercial fishing increasing in value despite challenges
Waatea NewsTarakihi cuts not enough, fishing group warns
Northern AdvocateFisheries Minister appeals landmark Northland crayfish ruling
Radio New ZealandThe seafood industry is growing according to a new report
The Post The wildlife caught in fishing gear (paywall)
National Business ReviewCaught in limbo: fisheries amendments dangle on votes cast (paywall)
Nelson MailThe hidden market behind your kaimoana
Waatea NewsFishing industry pumps $6.4b into NZ economy
Mongoose Bay (website)NZ put fishing boats under camera surveillance
NZ Herald - the CountryCommercial fishing contributes $2.45b to New Zealand economy, report finds
The PostIndustry urges government to weigh commercial fishing value before making changes
August 2026
Paddy Gower Has Issues - Season 3, Episode 3Sam Hayes joins Paddy with an in-depth report on what’s killing our hoiho (penguin). Karen needs your help to save the lives of hundreds of retired greyhounds.
StuffSamantha Hayes: Just 326 hoiho remain. Can New Zealand save its most endangered penguin?
LocalmattersLeigh’s fishing community reunites to remember the good old days
Otago Daily TimesMarine reserves will put pressure on other areas, fishers say
RNZMorning Report
The PressSnapper deaths reignite fishing fight as Shane Jones eyes recreational reporting rules
July 2026
RNZProtection for hoiho around Otago Peninsula to be made permanent
The PostHurry up and wait: RMZ replacement rush leaves key sectors in decision limbo
NewsroomHidden scientific error helped mask Tarakihi fishery collapse
RNZEnvironment group hails court decision on orange roughy catch-limit
RNZSeafood NZ discusses calls for a ban on fishing tarakihi
NewstalkZB“Unhelpful”: Fishers push back against ‘extinction’ comments amid rapid decline of fish and chip staple
RNZTarakihi stocks in shocking state after decades of overfishing, advocates warn
June 2026
RNZNelson business aims to build first crew-free commercial fishing boats
CountryWide CONNECTLisa Futschek – Seafood NZ reacts to fisheries bill shelving
Newstalk ZB‘Passion translated into misinformation’: Industry disappointed by delay to fisheries amendment bill
RNZAfter three years of planning, a decommissioned fishing trawler took just 10 minutes to sink
RNZControversial fisheries amendment Bill delayed after Shane Jones request
RNZBottom Trawling from a Commercial Fishermen’s Perspective
The PressHigh Court showdown over who pays for fisheries surveillance
RNZ - The PanelThe Panel with Steve McCabe and Holly Bennett
The PostIs the Attenborough Effect turning Kiwis against bottom trawling?
RNZFishing vessel skipper discusses bottom trawling
Stuff‘They did exactly the right thing’: Local fishers save rare whale
NZ Ocean NewsWe Went to the Fishing Industry’s Biggest Conference
May 2026
NewsroomWokes, women and one w**ker…the votes Shane Jones doesn’t seem to want
The PostShane Jones calls on fishing industry to stand up against its detractors
StuffShane Jones slams ‘small appendage’ critics and Death protester, but they could hook another fishing law backdown
Nelson Mail / The PressBlessing of the fleet draws thousands to honour fishers and lost loved ones
Herald NOW BusinessFisheries Bill reignites battle over NZ seafood future
NewsroomCameras on boats reveal second-highest Hector’s dolphin bycatch in a decade
RNZOlympian Blair Tuke calls on government to scrap Fisheries legislation
The Nelson MailMaritime NZ: Working with commercial fishers to support safety in the sector
April 2026
Otago Daily TimesSea lion breeding success hailed
StuffMinisters hesitant to promise targeted support to fuel-strapped fishers
NewsroomSPCA takes on big fish in cameras-on-boats feeding frenzy
The PlatformThe Fishing Industry Is At Serious Risk With The High Prices Of Fuel
NewsroomFishing industry fears ‘going backwards’ with new laws empowering council bans
StuffDiesel prices threaten to turn local fish shops into ‘just chip shops’
NewstalkZBAndrew Dickens: The India Free Trade agreement remains uncertain
Hospitality BusinessKiwi Food Excellence Shines as OFPA Marks 10-Year Milestone
Wairarapa Times-Age‘Knuckling down and hoping’: How Wairarapa businesses are doing it tough
RNZNew Zealand’s top exporters call on Parliament to back free trade agreement with India
NelsonMail / The Press‘Misinformation’ or ‘uncomfortable truths’? What both sides say about bottom trawling
RNZSunday Morning with Jim Mora
The PostGlobal hoki heroes take The Post shopping for fish in a New Zealand supermarket
RNZ - Nine to NoonThe role of certification schemes in preserving fish stocks
March 2026
Wairarapa TimesWairarapa fishing industry on alert for fuel-driven cost pressures
RNZU-turn on fish sizes not enough for some
NewstalkZBKerry Woodham Mornings
Nelson Mail / The PressFishing giant loses at least $4 million to high diesel price
RNZ - The PanelThe Panel with Mary Lambie and Simon Wilson, Part 1
1NewsDebate grows over proposed changes to commercial fishing size limits
RNZ - First Up with Ross McNaughtonFisheries Amendment Bill has plenty of critics
SNZ Media ReleaseSeafood NZ calls for fact-based discussion on Fisheries Amendment Bill
RNZShane Jones labels critics of fisheries bill as ‘noisy voices’
NZ HeraldBill would remove commercial minimum snapper size under fisheries reforms
NewsroomHefty penalty for leaking commercial fishing footage [paywalled]
SNZ Media ReleaseSeafood sector welcomes introduction of Fisheries Amendment Bill
Waikato TimesNZ proposal to weaken deep-sea coral protections rejected at Pacific fisheries meeting [paywalled]
RNZFishing for votes: Fishing regulations, and the balance between recreational and commercial interests are shaping up as an election issue
The PressMiddle East War: Disruption to NZ seafood sector – retail price rises set to follow [paywalled]
Otago Daily TimesHoiho face extinction in the wild, despite our best efforts [paywalled]
StuffNo longer cheap as chips: Would you pay $30 for this classic family feed?
RNZFine for unreported Hector’s dolphin death reveals toothless system, conservation group says
The Press [print]PM says he ‘misspoke’
FMGC BusinessOutstanding Food Producer Awards hits new heights for 10th anniversary
1NewsFishing in NZ waters overhaul – ‘cock up’ or ‘once in a lifetime shot’?
NZ HeraldLord Howe Rise deep-sea coral ‘proof’ ramps up bottom trawling clash
The DetailThe Detail: Net fishing is in, then out again as National Party does a backflip
February 2026
The PostMinisters clash over Hauraki Gulf protections (Paywalled)
RNZNews Bulletin
Meeting Newz [print]Don’t Underestimate Nelson
Otago Daily Times [print]Court’s hoiho ruling being taken as win (Paywalled)
Newstalk ZB
The Post‘Every bird counts’: New 20% crash in hoiho nests (Paywalled)
SNZ Media ReleaseSeafood New Zealand Responds To High Court Decision On Hoiho Fishing Closure
January 2026
NZ HeraldShane Jones plans bycatch rule shake-up to cut costs for deepwater fishers (Paywalled)
NZ HeraldSpearfisher Darren Shields urges Shane Jones to end bottom trawling (Paywalled)
NewsroomPotaka accused of hiding behind court case at endangered turtles’ expense (Paywalled)
December 2025
NZ HeraldFishing host Matt Watson accuses Shane Jones of favouring commercial industry ‘mates’ (Paywalled)

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