A visit from Stuart Smith MP: Local Aquaculture and NZ Business

Stuart Smith with the Arapawa Blue Pearls team after a memorable paua farm tour.

Earlier this month, Arapawa Blue Pearls had the honour of hosting Stuart Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Kaikōura at our family-owned paua farm located on the remote, beautiful Arapaoa Island. As one of the few farms in New Zealand specialised in high quality paua pearls, our business operates at the intersection of sustainability, aquaculture innovation and regional economic development. The visit offered opportunity to share our story with a key Government representative and to engage in important discussions about the future of NZ Business and primary industries.

Stuart's enthusiasm for the visit was clear from the outset. Travelling with us across the calm waters of the Marlborough sounds on our hand-built vessel The Aluetian, designed and crafted by our Co-director Mike Radon. Stuart arrived ready to learn, listen and participate in a full experience of our operations. The visit was more than symbolic; it reflected a genuine interest in the workings of a small but significant NZ Business that is contributing to both environmental stewardship and high-value exports.

Warm Hospitality and Real Conversations

During a thoughtful pause in the pearl farm tour, Stuart Smith chats with Directors Mike and Antonia.

Upon arrival, Stuart was welcomed with our signature home-baking morning tea and fresh coffee. Over ANZAC biscuits, coconut slice and fresh coffee we shared an open conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing our paua farm.

As a representative of a region where Aquaculture plays a vital role, Stuart was deeply engaged in discussions about how small-scale NZ Businesses like ours are impacted by compliance costs, labour shortages, and biosecurity concerns. We appreciated his practical approach and ability to connect with both operational detail and long-term strategic considerations.

From Hatchery to Harvest: Touring the Paua Farm

 
Our Hatchery is a highlight of our tours, showcasing our efforts for paua sustainability.

We then walked Stuart through a full tour of our Paua Farm facilities. Beginning with our hatchery, we introduced him to our spawning programme, where we raise juvenile paua under carefully controlled conditions. Stuart was especially interested in how we manage the early lifecycle of paua to support both pearl development and reseeding of local reefs.

Paua pearls are not mass-produced; they are cultivated over four years, using highly skilled and precise techniques. We explained how each paua must reach a specific maturity before reseeding can take place and then how the pearls form slowly inside the shell, taking four years to reach their full potential. Our pearls are globally recognised for their natural lustre and iridescence, and Stuart was quick to recognise the value and rarity of what we produce.

He asked detailed questions about our reseeding methods, growth rates, mortality and the science behind nacre quality. His level of engagement showed more than just interest; it reflected a willingness to understand what makes a boutique aquaculture operation like ours unique within the NZ Business landscape.

A taste of the ocean

After the tour, we offered Stuart a freshly prepared paua tasting, lightly pan-fried with garlic and herb butter. He enjoyed the opportunity to sample our product straight from the source. Providing this tasting is more than culinary appeal, it’s a sensory connection to the value of what we grow. The experience tied together the full arc of our business, from hatchery to harvest to the plate.

Safeguarding the future of paua in our waters

 
Good kōrero with on the boat with Stuart and the team.

A major focus in our discussions with Stuart focused on the sustainability of wild paua populations and the vital role that aquaculture can play in supporting ocean health. We shared details of our reseeding efforts, where juvenile paua raised on our farm are released back into carefully selected reef areas to help restore natural stocks and contribute to long-term resilience of the species. As a paua farm operating in one of the most remote regions of New Zealand, we see this not only as a responsibility, but as a core part of our legacy.

Stuart was engaged and supportive as we discussed the pressures on wild paua beds, particularly from illegal poaching and inconsistencies in how customary take is monitored and enforced. While customary fishing rights are an important part of New Zealand’s heritage, we acknowledged the challenge posed by loopholes and the lack of oversight in some areas, which can lead to heavily overfished areas.

Stuart took the time to listen and observe as we shared these realities, offering constructive space to highlight the unique challenges faced by small aquaculture-based NZ businesses working on the frontlines of environmental management.

Our shared conversation reinforced the importance of forward-thinking stewardship, where innovation in farming, active reseeding, and better governance can work together to protect paua for future generations.

The role of leadership in local enterprise

Jacob shows Stuart how Pearls are formed inside the Paua shell

It is not everyday that a Member of Parliament steps foot on a remote aquaculture site. Stuarts visit sent a strong message: that local, values-driven NZ businesses matter. His willingness to engage directly with our team, see our operations up close, and ask meaningful questions gave us a platform to share what makes our paua farm both viable and vulnerable.

It also underscored the importance of connecting decision-makers with primary producers, not just in boardrooms, but in the environments where this work takes place. With Stuart’s background and leadership in primary industries, we found common ground in our mutual aim to see aquaculture flourish in a way that supports jobs, protects the environment and strengthens export potential.

Looking forward: Growth with purpose

As our paua farm continues to expand its reach, both in local tourism and international pearl exports, we remain committed to the principles of quality, care and sustainability. Stuart’s visit validated the importance of small, hands-on aquaculture ventures as part of New Zealand’s broader business ecosystem.

We are proud to represent a unique segment of the market. One where marine conservation meets high-value product development, and where paua pearls serve as both a luxury good and a story of New Zealand innovation. Hosting Stuart reminded us that, even in remote locations, our efforts contribute to a broader national conversation.

We thank Stuart Smith, MP for his time, his thoughtful engagement and his recognition of the work being done at Arapawa Blue Pearls. His visit reinforced the value of visibility, advocacy, and practical support for regional NZ business.

From hatchery to harbour, our paua farm stands as a testament to what's possible when hard work innovation and policy alignment come together. We look forward to continuing these conversations as we shape a resilient and sustainable future for paua and aquaculture in New Zealand.