Napier - Ahuriri / Gisborne - Tairāwhiti
Fishers head out of these historic ports to significant snapper, flounder, and gurnard fishing grounds. Rick, Dave and Mark have decades of relevant experience between them and are well-placed to help you find the support or advice you need.
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Local Navigators
Rick Burch
Napier - Ahuriri / Gisborne - Tairāwhiti
I commenced my fishing career in Cornwall UK, aboard a lobster potting boat in 1967. I then visited Australia where I trawled for prawns in the gulf of Carpentaria. I returned to Cornwall in 1976 and purchased a vessel for lobster potting. In 1982 I decided to visit New Zealand and I have been working in the fishing industry here since then. In 1994 I went to Scotland to pick up the 12 mtr trawler Nancy Glen which I still operate today.
The fishermen I work alongside here in Napier are a very close knit group as we have been working together for many years. I am sure this would apply to many other ports here in New Zealand. However, times are changing and they can be stressful. It is therefore important that we have a group like the Navigators who can help others in these difficult and stressful times.
Dave Wakefield
Napier - Ahuriri / Gisborne - Tairāwhiti
My father was a fisher in Kaikoura. I started out working off Greymouth in my own small vessel but then went to Nelson to work in the deepwater fleet, where I learnt more about different methods. I went back and forth between NZ and Aus for quite a while and owned vessels over there.
Eventually I came back to NZ to get my skipper’s ticket and went surface longlining in the Pacific. I ended up in Napier and got a position as a manager. I’ve got a lot of experience of lots of aspects of fishing, including MOSS, compliance, and working with foreign crews, which I can use to help others.
Call 0800 ADRIFT for support any day between 7am and 10pm or email info@firstmate.org.nz to access the support you need. We also have a growing library of free resources available for you to access on our website.
