Our Community

Supporting our community through sponsorship

Sealord places high value on corporate social responsibility, with a longstanding reputation for supporting community events, organisations and causes. Our sponsorship strategy considers a number of factors, and in particular whether the organisation has a community, marine environment, and / or Māori focus.

We are pleased to support the following organisations and events:

Coastguard Nelson’s new rescue vessel, Hohapata – Sealord Rescue

Sealord provided a significant $215,000 contribution to support the build of the new rescue vessel, with naming rights sponsorship for 20 years. Since its launch in March 2021, three people’s lives have been saved and another 150 people in strife at sea were brought home by the waka and crew.

Sealord crew member operating safety equipment during a rescue drill at sea – demonstrating strong maritime safety protocols aboard New Zealand fishing vessels.

Food charity Kai with Love

Sealord provides coated product to Nelson-based food charity Kai with Love on a regular basis and organises ad hoc staff-assisted contributions such as toy or food treat donations at Christmas time, non-perishable food donations during COVID lockdowns and contributions from people’s pay for those who are willing.

Sealord staff member preparing fresh seafood with care – part of the 'Kai with Love' initiative promoting quality and sustainability in New Zealand.

Māori health organisation Te Piki Oranga (TPO)

Te Piki Oranga (TPO) is the only Māori health organisation serving the top of the South Island providing services to Māori covering personal health, mental health and addictions, Wellchild Tamariki Ora, and health social work. Transport costs are often a barrier for whānau to access health care. Sealord provides taxi chits and petrol vouchers for TPO to give to whānau, so they can get to their medical appointments.
Two people smiling and standing beside a black car with Te Piki Oranga Māori Wellness Services and Sealord branding on the rear window

Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust

Sealord has had a long association with Southern Seabirds, and has a seat around the table of the Trust’s Management Committee. Over the years Sealord has helped fund a range of initiatives led by the Trust, all with the aim of reducing the impact of fishing on seabirds. Sealord has twice been the recipient of the Trust’s Seabird Smart Awards in recognition for leadership in minimising seabird deaths in fishing. In 2010 skipper Ted Goomes and crew of Sealord vessel FV Thomas Harrison, and in 2022 skipper Jesse Crasborn and crew of the FV Rehua. Read the story about Jesse’s award win.

Tasman Bay Guardian’s Cable Bay Snorkel Day

Sealord was proud to be a silver sponsor at the Cable Bay Community Guided Snorkel Day on Saturday, 4 March 2023, in Nelson. The event by Tasman Bay Guardians supports a marine-based environmental community day out.

Moananui

Sealord is a founding member of Moananui, an initiative that will enable businesses, government bodies and other experts, to work together with the aim of accelerating growth of the ‘blue economy’ – marine activities that generate economic value and contribute positively to social, cultural and ecological wellbeing. Once formally in place, the group will act as a catalyst for blue economy growth and help facilitate projects that increase value, connect people and improve ocean health. With more than 400 marine-related businesses in the top of the South Island, Nelson is the natural place to start.

Seafood Saturday – Nelson

Sealord was pleased to be a platinum sponsor at the inaugural Seafood Saturday celebration event in Nelson on 25 March 2023. Organised by Seafood New Zealand, the event is a celebration of kaimoana from sea to table – the people, places and products. The Nelson event was a mix of free community activities and a ticketed degustation meal featuring seafood, with more Seafood Saturdays to be held in other fishing regions.