Cory Stessen
Farm Supervisor - Moana New Zealand
Growing leaders in aquaculture
When Canadian‑born Cory Stessen arrived in New Zealand, he wasn’t planning a career in aquaculture. He was travelling, exploring, and taking opportunities as they came. But like many who enter the sector, he found a surprising fit—and a future he didn’t expect.
Today, Cory is Farm Supervisor for Moana New Zealand at their Coromandel Oyster farm, and a past participant in the Aquaculture New Zealand Leadership Hui.
In just two and a half years, he has progressed from aquaculture technician to team leader to farm supervisor, showing how quickly motivated people can grow in this industry.
From bees to oysters
Before aquaculture, Cory worked as an environmental educator and naturalist and later got into beekeeping here in New Zealand. When the bee industry declined, he began looking for something more secure. Aquaculture caught his interest even though he knew very little about it.
His ecology studies had included visits to shrimp and tilapia farms in Costa Rica. Growing up on the west coast of Canada he visited salmon hatcheries, but he hadn’t considered it as a career.
What changed, he says, was his mindset: “I was hungry for learning and knowledge.”
That drive led him to begin the Postgraduate Diploma in Aquaculture at NMIT, which he is now halfway through. He is completing a dissertation based on work happening on the farm and says that while he once struggled to see the value of research, he now sees its practical application every day.
Cory found the shift from beekeeping to aquaculture more natural than he expected. “Surprisingly, the jump from beekeeping to growing oysters wasn’t as big as people think. Both rely on the environment, and both perform differently depending on the site.”
Leadership and career growth
Cory began his aquaculture career with New Zealand King Salmon, working in the Tory Channel before stepping into a team leader role at the Takaka Hatchery. At Moana, he has continued to grow—supported by the Tio supply chain manager Peter Grierson, whose guidance has helped him build confidence and capability in farming oysters.
He describes his leadership approach as practical and people focused. Building rapport with his team comes naturally, and he values a work environment where ideas flow both ways.
He says the Evolving Leaders Hui helped reinforce the values he shares with other young leaders: “Meeting others with similar core values—people who care about the future of the workforce—was inspiring.”
Cory sees one of the biggest challenges in aquaculture today as engaging younger workers who have grown up in a digital world.
“I bridge the generations,” he says. “I understand the older work ethic, but I also get the younger team. The key is showing them the impact of their work—‘here’s the evidence, your hard work is paying off.’”
Cory encourages anyone considering aquaculture to give it a try.
“Get the experience and see if you’re interested,” he says. He notes that modern systems like FlipFarming have changed the workflow and opened up new opportunities.
He also points out that aquaculture roles suit a wide range of people.
“Physicality isn’t a hurdle. On our farm we’ve got on‑water staff, yard crew, and factory staff. There’s a role for everyone.”
He believes the sector needs to keep telling its story to draw more young people in, as applicants with aquaculture experience are still uncommon.
Cory’s long‑term goal is to move further into management, but he is taking the time to build strong foundations. He continues to develop his leadership and communication skills and enjoys motivating his team.
One of his strongest leadership values is recognising a good idea and backing the person behind it.
“I’m cool being in the passenger seat if someone has a great idea. Good leadership is supporting the good ideas and helping them succeed.”
Cory’s journey—from arriving in New Zealand with no set plan to becoming an emerging leader in aquaculture—shows what’s possible for those who are curious, motivated, and ready to learn.
