Stay On Course
Call 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438)
today if you need support or advice
Stay On Course
FirstMate New Zealand is here to support the health and wellbeing of hardworking people across the commercial seafood sector. Our goal is to offer people and businesses the support they need to better navigate the pressures and complexities that come with the job and rise to any potential challenges.
Working at sea may be a calling but we all know making a livelihood this way isn’t always easy. It’s a tough working environment – mentally, physically, legally and financially. And as things continue to change, it’s vital that those in the industry – and their whānau – have the support they need to adjust and thrive.
Call 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438)
today if you need support or advice
About Us
FirstMate is a charity set up for our commercial seafood whānau, with seafood whānau, to provide you with one-on-one support when you need it the most. FirstMate is run by people who understand what it means to be part of New Zealand’s dynamic and challenging seafood industry.
Read moreOur Navigators
Our recent experience using the FirstMate service has been excellent. It is nice to deal with a personable team that have great knowledge & understanding of the industry. Big ups to Darren & his team doing the hard work to support the industry's backbone.”
- Rob & Ashley Ansley, Ocean Pearl Fisheries
There are many different organisations and experts within the sector who can help with specific problems, but in times of stress or uncertainty it can be hard to know where to turn. First Mate wants to connect fishers with the right people - people who can talk their language and walk alongside them - to steer them in the right direction and out of troubled waters.”
- Kate Hesson, FirstMate Trustee
My passion is in ‘the people’. Those out there doing the job night and day and in all weathers and under constant pressures. It is essential that we are here to provide continued support to those hardworking NZers and their whānau.”
- Doug Saunders-Loder, FirstMate Trustee
Firstmate in action
Whānau Matters
Gabrielle and Simon (Si) live with their four daughters in a remote bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Si works long days as a mussel Farmer and Gabrielle home-schools the kids. The aquaculture industry has been a large part of their life - but as you would expect, it’s not always smooth sailing.
Find out more
Diving into the Fishing Industry
After getting bored of building, Marlborough-based Tim Barnett began working as a contract diver and spends big, long – but rewarding – days working in an industry he loves. Now, he’s the boss, and the juggle to keep everyone happy means a whole lot more stress, so he’s had to find ways to cope.
Find out more
Meet the Fishers: Port Chalmers Crew Show How It’s Done
The first community event supported by FirstMate was held at Careys Bay wharf in November 2021. Organised by the Port Chalmers Fishermen’s Co-operative Society and proud local commercial inshore fishers who gave up time at sea to help with this important event, including FirstMate Navigator Glenn Robinson.
Find out more