Careers
Work in paradise. Sustainably farm the world’s best seafood. Protect our waterways. Feed the future.
Emerging Leaders
AQNZ was thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Emerging Leader Awards at this year’s conference. These four rising stars will be matched with experienced mentors for a year of growth, learning, and leadership development - culminating in their invitation to the next Evolving Leaders Hui. Past participants rave about the confidence and skills they’ve gained through this powerful programme.
This programme is for emerging leaders who:
are on a pathway to becoming a leader OR
are currently in a leadership role and have been for less than 12-months
A huge thank you for our amazing sponsors for the 2025 Emerging Leader Awards:
Ocean Beach
Aquaculture Direct
Skipper Training NZ
Waimana Marine
MFA
Great South
You will find our 2025 Emerging Leaders and their photo on the Conference page of our website.
From left: Sean Pennells (Sanford), Will Evans (Clevedon Coast Oysters), Tee Hale Pennington (AQNZ - CEO), Teremoana Hamblin (Talley’s) and Hiroki Wada (Sanford)
Evolving Leaders
This year, AQNZ proudly launched the Evolving Leaders initiative — a professional development programme designed to support emerging leaders who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step in their leadership journey.
The hui is more than just a workshop — it’s a strategic investment in leadership succession, team retention, and the future of the aquaculture industry. It equips evolving leaders with the tools, connections, and confidence they need to thrive, while fostering a strong, supportive cohort that learns and grows together.
This programme is for new leaders who:
have been in the industry for 1 - 5 years AND
are in their first leaderships role, between 1 - 3 years
AQNZ extends its sincere thanks to the following sponsors for their generous support in making this initiative possible:
Rezource
WSP
Skipper Training NZ
Great South
You will find our 2025 Evolving Leaders and their photo on the Conference page of our website.
Back row from left: James Aitken (Mahurangi Oysters), Gareth Foote (Aroma), Jacob Radon (Arapawa Blue Pearls), Henry Thorp (Akaroa Salmon), Ben McDonald (Waimana Marine), Harrison Mallabar (New Zealand King Salmon)
Front row from left: Marcos Sheppard (MacLab), Tim Archie (United Fisheries), Sean Pennells (Sanford), Luhan Arangies (High Country Salmon), Cory Stesson (Moana NZ) and Sacha MacDonald (Rezource - Key sponsor)
It takes a team of 3,000 to produce our Greenshell mussels, King salmon and Pacific oysters. We’re driving vessels, scuba diving around farms and nurturing our animals in some of the most stunning regions of our country – and there’s unlimited opportunities ahead.
The world can’t get enough of our sustainably farmed seafood, and to meet the demand the industry is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Help unlock this opportunity for New Zealand, in a range of permanent and seasonal roles, in areas such as boat crews, on-water animal husbandry, engineering yards, dive teams, hatcheries, research labs, and seafood processing facilities.
For more information about training and job opportunities across Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South), you can also visit the Marine Farming Association website.
Explore Careers
Whether you are looking to join the aquaculture industry straight from secondary school or begin your career post-tertiary study, there are numerous opportunities available.
Click on the brochure to the left to meet some of our tertiary graduates and learn about their career journeys within our industry.
The brochure to the right shows you the wide range and diversity of roles available within this exciting and growing industry of farming world-class seafood.
For more information, please contact:
Kirsten Norfield (Aquaculture NZ - Workforce Implementation Lead):
Meet some of our graduates
Annie Fleming’s love of numbers has paved the way for a fulfilling career in the New Zealand aquaculture industry. Read more about her journey here.
“I really encourage people to focus on their strengths and passions, because pursuing what you love will ultimately lead to a rewarding career”
Daria Bell knew from a young age that she wanted a career that would benefit her region. Read more about her journey here.
“I chose aquaculture with the purpose of preserving kaimoana. My goal is to ensure that seafood remains accessible for future generations.”
Sean Pennells, Hatchery Technician at Sanford Ltd, switched from studying zoology to aquaculture after a university field trip to a salmon farm. Read more about his journey here.
“I had a huge environmental drive during my high school and university years that ultimately encouraged me into aquaculture - and now that I’m working in the industry, it really keeps me grounded.”
Emma Whiteman, Farm Technician at Moana, enrolled in a marine academy training programme during her final two years of school and this sparked her deep affection for the ocean, ultimately motivating her to pursue a Degree in Aquaculture. Read more about her journey here.
“I’ve always loved the ocean, and being able to explore this passion while at school helped me realise I wanted to turn it into a career.”
Our aquaculture workforce action plan
The success of our industry depends on its people. The ongoing critical labour shortages across aquaculture are affecting business continuity, productivity, and are a real barrier to future growth. In partnership with aquaculture businesses and Government, we have developed a strategy and workforce action plan. This plan sets out the priority actions we need to advance together to address our immediate workforce challenges and develop a skilled, qualified, and diverse workforce to support the sustainable growth of aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand.
