About Us
FirstMate is here to support you, and we are only a phone call away. We are 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 team
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.
Get in touch today
Call 0800 237 438
for free any day between 7am and 10pm or email info@firstmate.org.nz to access the support you need.
Download our brochure
Connecting you with people who can help
Our Navigators have access to a database of local and national experts, including those dealing with physical and mental health, business and finance, and technical aspects of the seafood industry, including innovation. Navigators can connect you to these services, which might also include local and central government agencies such as Maritime New Zealand. If necessary, the Navigator can stay involved while you work with an expert.
Building a support network
From time to time, there will be opportunities for you to attend FirstMate-organised activities in your community, such as innovation sessions, wellbeing workshops and social events for the entire family. Making connections, especially in isolated communities, is really important, so we will try to provide opportunities for you to get together to talk shop – or not – with your friends, family and colleagues.
Resources and information
In our Resources section, you will find a wide range of free materials that we’ve developed to help with anything that may be bothering you, and to give you tips and ideas on how to prevent problems cropping up in the first place.
“
There are many different organisations and experts within the sector who can help with specific problems, but in times of stress or uncertainty it can be hard to know where to turn. First Mate wants to connect fishers with the right people - people who can talk their language and walk alongside them - to steer them in the right direction and out of troubled waters.”
- Kate Hesson, FirstMate Trustee
Call 0800 ADRIFT 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.
