Sealord proposing factory closure in Nelson, 79 jobs at risk

Friday, 5 September 2025

Aerial photograph of the Sealord fishing vessels and the Sealord factory at Port Nelson.

Sealord is proposing to close its coated fish factory in Nelson.

The commercial fishing company told staff on Friday it is opening consultation on a proposal to cut 79 permanent jobs - 57 factory roles and 22 management or office-based roles.

Sealord said this would not affect its deep sea fishing operations nor its canned tuna products.

Chief executive Doug Paulin said increasing costs and requests for higher supermarket margins had driven the decision.

'Unfortunately, like many manufacturing businesses in New Zealand that have been forced to close in recent times, we are similarly affected by hugely challenging economic factors,' Paulin said.

'Increasing operating costs, particularly labour and electricity, plus freight, exacerbated by requests for higher supermarket margins, means we must reconsider the way we manage our retail frozen branded business. Despite the best efforts and mahi of our workers, we may have to exit the frozen coated fish business that we have built up over many years.'

Sealord also announced a proposal for changes to the Nelson Site Collective Agreement that covered union workers in land-based operations including its wetfish factory, cold store, dry store and by-products plant.

'In addition, we're reviewing land-based factory operations as we look at how we can reduce operating costs and improve the economic sustainability of production in Nelson. As part of this, we are hoping to agree changes to the Collective Agreement that will help keep Nelson land-based manufacturing operating,' Paulin said.

Affected staff were being encouraged to provide feedback on the proposals, he said.

Sealord was the last significant supplier of frozen coated fish products manufactured in New Zealand, he said.

'Many of our coated factory staff have worked at Sealord for much of their working life and the team is like one big whānau. Our priority at this time is providing support for our people as we work through the process.'

Sealord was weighing up the possibility of moving coated fish production offshore, Paulin said.

Consultation closes in three weeks.

On Thursday, more than 140 workers at Carter Holt Harvey's Eves Valley sawmill in Tasman were told the plant was closing.