Business North March 2021

4 | Seafood leader confronts challenges Karen Phelps Mark Ngata: “Since Covid-19 people’s mindset has changed in terms of how they shop and eat.” Moana New Zealand SEAFOOD INDUSTRY M oana New Zealand has launched an online shop where Aucklanders can purchase the company’s high quality seafood and have it delivered direct to their home. The move was partly in response to the challenges thrown at the industry by Covid-19, says company general manager of the Inshore division, Mark Ngata. “Since Covid-19 people’s mindset has changed in terms of how they shop and eat. An online store was always in the pipeline but Covid-19 gave this more impetus,” he explains. The online shop was launched in November last year and has been well-received by the public, he says. The aim is to add more prod- ucts and make purchasing available nationally. 2020 was a challenging year for the compa- ny, which is one of the largest Māori organi- sations in the country. Moana New Zealand is the second biggest seafood company by quota volume and value and the biggest Māori- owned seafood company overall. Mark says that all species business units apart from fin fish (ika) were significantly im- pacted by the pandemic. Operating earnings before tax and interest were down on plan by 42% due to the hospitality industry’s exposure to Covid-19 and falling demand, as well as the impact of border closures and reduced inter- national airfreight capacity. With China being the company’s fourth largest market, when this suddenly closed with live and chilled seafood sales ceasing immediately due to the outbreak Moana New Zealand’s market strategy required swift diver- sification. “Our koura and pāua divisions were impacted most. Strategising involved export market downturn mitigation. We achieved this by recalibrating domestic versus offshore market ratios and restricting our fishers and divers. Our inshore team worked with suppli- ers to understand consumer demands and provide solutions for customers in relation to what our fishers and divers could supply. We investigated new distribution channels and fulfilment was pleasing,” says Mark. Despite these challenges he says that the company’s balanced portfolio demonstrated tremendous resilience through a combina- tion of strong domestic and Australian trade demand for ika, reduction in operating costs, exploration of new channels to market and the commitment of staff. “Our priority was our people,” says Mark. “As an essential service we needed to continue to operate to feed the nation and the world with a healthy source of protein. “We had to ensure we had systems and procedures in place to keep our people safe – physically and mentally.” Mark expects 2021 to be as challenging as last year, if not more so as many countries overseas still continue to battle with the virus. This has meant strong relationships with export markets have been key. Impact on air- freight has led to substantial cost increases. “These are not expected to improve until country entry restrictions are lifted. Initially airfreight was exceedingly hard to access but since May several destinations have returned to some normality. “Airfreight rates remain high although not at peak levels, which were up to three times higher than standard rates in the first few months of the pandemic. But they are still tracking at double the cost. Collaboration with competitors, partners and customers in sharing airfreight costs has been beneficial and free onboard returns for live and chilled products airfreighted are tracking significantly lower than they were before Covid-19.” This has seen Moana New Zealand contin- uing to innovate. A new range of ready-to-eat supermarket meals will be launched mid-year. The company is trialling chilled and frozen tray products into target export markets. It is also investigating the potential for fish by-products, which would normally be con- sidered a waste stream, for example collagen from fish skin. “It’s about being responsible and respectful about the way we use the resource, utilising it as fully as we can,” explains Mark. Sustainability is a key part of the Moana New Zealand story and reflects the four pillars on which the organisation is established: Whakapapa (genealogy), Manaakitanga (look- ing after people), Kaitiakitanga (being custo- dians for future generations) and Whakatipu- ranga (prosperity for future generations). Moana New Zealand products include Pāua Kahurangi (Blue Abalone), Pāua Tūwā (Wild Abalone), Ika (Fin Fish), Koura (Lobster), Tio (Oyster) and Kai Ora (Ready to Eat Meals). New Zealand is the company’s largest market, followed by Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Europe and North America. 0800 0800 84 www.actionpersonnel.co.nz actionpersonnelltd office@actionpersonnel.co.nz Proudly supporting Moana New Zealand James & Turner Hardware Store in Coromandel Town, is a ectionately known as the store that has everything, and the One-Stop Shop. Grant Webber and Terry Adams took over the business in 2014. Since 1889 James & Turner has been supplying general hardware to Coromandel Town. In addition to general hardware, there is also a garden centre, kitchen and giftware departments, stationary, shing and camping supplies, marine and boat chandlery, paint, plumbing and electrical merchandise. Moana typically nds the marine and general hardware sections most useful for their general day to day maintenance and operations. They have supported our little business for many years. JAMES & TURNER JAMES & TURNER LTD . KITCHENWARE · PAINT HARDWARE · GIFTWARE PLUMBING · ELECTRICAL FISHING · CAMPING MARINE· GARDENING 131 Kapanga Road | PO Box 16, Coromandel Town | 07 866 8805 | info@jamesandturner.co.nz