Where it all began

In 1962, 18 year old Kypros Kotzikas left Cyprus for Christchurch, New Zealand, starting his first ever job at Aranui Fish Shop, working for his brother who had left Cyprus 10 years earlier. A couple of years later, he took over the running of the fish shop, and became part of a conglomerate of local fish retailers that purchased a 52 foot trawler called the Treina to work out of Lyttleton.

Fast forward to 1974, Kypros purchased United Fisheries, introducing the fresh fish auction to sell fresh fish to local shops. They became established in mussel and oyster farming, and was allocated a large package of the Individual Fishing Quota, introduced by the government in 1986.

Where we are now

United Fisheries is one of the country’s largest fish exporters and is still family owned and run.

The supply of fish, the essential raw material for our business is largely assured by having our own “quotas” covering the main commercial species of New Zealand. The catching operation utilises company owned and operated fishing vessels, and a number of chartered deep-sea factory trawlers. The company now works with a number of fishing vessel companies that catch United’s quota and concentrates on inshore species around the South Island.

United has grown from several established mussel farms to now owning 30 farms, which provide a secure supply of the unique New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels and Pacific Oysters.

We produce and supply top quality products from our purpose built new 5,000 square metre, temperature controlled factory. These processing facilities are equal to any in its class in the world. The advanced design and incorporation of the latest technology will meet the ever increasing international standards and conditions for many years to come.