Whānau MattersGabrielle and Simon (Si) live with their four daughters in a remote bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Si works long days as a mussel Farmer and Gabrielle home-schools the kids. The aquaculture industry has been a large part of their life - but as you would expect, it’s not always smooth sailing.
Stay On Course
FirstMate New Zealand supports the health and wellbeing of people across the commercial seafood sector. Our goal is to offer fishers and businesses the guidance, direction and support they need to better navigate the pressures and complexities that come with the job.
Call 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438)
for support or advice
Stay On Course
FirstMate New Zealand supports the health and wellbeing of people across the commercial seafood sector. Our goal is to offer fishers and businesses the guidance, direction and support they need to better navigate the pressures and complexities that come with the job.
Call 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438)
for support or advice
Seafood Sector Wellbeing Event
Calling all Gisborne and Whitianga fishers and marine farmers...
Meet your local FirstMate Adverse Event Navigators. Bring the whole family to a fisher and marine community event, free kai, and wellness support.
Stay On Course
Working at sea can be very challenging – mentally, physically, legally and financially. And as things continue to change, it’s vital that people in the industry – and their whānau – have the support they need to adjust and thrive.
Call 0800 ADRIFT (0800 237 438)
for support or advice
Looking for help
or advice?
Our Navigators have experience of living and working in the seafood sector.
At FirstMate, we are here to help. We:
Offer three free counselling sessions for you, or your family
Offer group and family counselling services
Can support you and help you understand the complexities of regulatory compliance like:
Health and Safety
MOSS
Fisheries Act
and through any compliance action by providing a support person
Can assist you to connect with the services/support that you specifically need, and we will be at your side throughout the process
Can connect with our Health Navigator who can assist with navigating the health system and your personal health
About Us
FirstMate is a charity run by people who understand what it means to be part of New Zealand’s dynamic and challenging seafood industry. Each member of our team brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organisation, and together we do our best to help the seafood community through the hard times and to provide you with one-on-one support when you need it the most.
Our Navigators
Our Navigators are here to give the guidance, direction and support to navigate what’s ahead. They have deep knowledge of the seafood sector and know what you might be going through because many of them have been through it too. Now, they want to give something back to the sector. There is no agenda and no judgment, just a willingness to put you first.
“The support was instant. As soon as I rang them someone was in touch. It really felt like they were supporting you”
“FirstMate had the understanding and kindness to talk to people on the boat and help them…The kindness and help they gave the boat was bloody good”
“Just the checking in is really nice. Especially for a male. I know it’s good to talk about it [mental health], but it’s not easy to find that person to talk to about it”
Make a donation
Your donation goes directly to helping the seafood community improve their wellbeing. Email donate@firstmate.org.nz to discuss ways you can support our work, from sponsoring an event or initiative to making a one-off or ongoing donation.
Firstmate in action
Click on the images below to watch the video.
Diving into the Fishing IndustryAfter getting bored of building, Marlborough-based Tim Barnett began working as a contract diver and spends big, long – but rewarding – days working in an industry he loves. Now, he’s the boss, and the juggle to keep everyone happy means a whole lot more stress, so he’s had to find ways to cope.
Meet the Fishers: Port Chalmers Crew Show How It’s DoneThe first community event supported by FirstMate was held at Careys Bay wharf in November 2021. Organised by the Port Chalmers Fishermen’s Co-operative Society and proud local commercial inshore fishers who gave up time at sea to help with this important event, including FirstMate Navigator Glenn Robinson.
Call 0800 ADRIFT for support any day between 7am and 10pm or email info@firstmate.org.nz to access the support you need. We also have a growing library of free resources available for you to access on our website.
