Where it all began

In 1962, at just eighteen, Kypros Kotzikas left Cyprus for Christchurch, New Zealand. His first job was at his brother’s Aranui Fish Shop, where he learned the value of hard work and the art of serving truly fresh fish. A few years later, he took over the shop himself, helping form a small group of local fish retailers who went on to purchase their own 52-foot trawler, the Triena, operating out of Lyttelton.

By 1974, Kypros had established United Fisheries and introduced the city’s first fresh-fish auction, supplying quality seafood to local retailers. Over the years, the business expanded into mussel and oyster farming and, with the introduction of New Zealand’s Individual Fishing Quota system in 1986, secured valuable fishing rights that remain at the core of the company today.

Now one of New Zealand’s largest seafood exporters, United Fisheries is still proudly family-owned and operated. The business manages its own quotas across key commercial species and works closely with trusted vessel operators to ensure a sustainable, secure supply of the finest fish from South Island waters.

From the early days of a single fish shop to owning more than 30 mussel farms providing a reliable supply of New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels and Pacific Oysters, and producing premium seafood from a purpose-built, 5,000 square metre temperature-controlled facility. United Fisheries continues to blend innovation with tradition. Building on our deep expertise in seafood, we’ve extended that same care and craft into creating handmade foods inspired by the world’s great flavours. With world-class processing, international standards, and an unwavering belief in the ocean, the Kotzikas family’s vision remains the same : to bring the very best of New Zealand’s sea – and its inspired tastes to the world.