OUR STORY

Our seaweed journey began in 1985 with a mussel farm involving 3 long lines in Tory Channel. Kelp soon took hold on the mussel lines and our original venture was halted in 1991 due to unstable markets and the fact that controlling the growth of seaweed on our lines had become a major problem.

We made the decision to investigate the growth of kelp commercially and explore potential products and markets. Following the successful application for licences to farm kelp, we began trials on different growing and monitoring techniques. 

Our research proved extremely successful, clearly identifying a relevant farm plan and laying out a direction for our marine farm to take. 

Since then, we’ve placed a strong focus on the use of kelp to create end products in a range of industries including horticulture, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and health foods among others. With this in mind, our interest has remained in growing and processing kelp into a form that maintains as much of its natural goodness as possible that will then allow third parties to convert the kelp further into such finished products.

With the above clearly in mind, we developed a concept which allows our kelp to be naturally processed in a cold, wet state, preserving many of the plant’s properties which would otherwise be lost through heating or drying processes. It is the viewpoint of scientists that at least 15% of the goodness of kelp is lost when dried or heated.

Our marine farm was certified organic by AsureQuality in August 2013, Certification Number 0993, and continues to be audited on an annual basis today. 

In an ironic twist, the mussel farm has since been reinstated and currently has 13 lines.

FROM FAILURE COMES SUCCESS

Before Seaweed

Of course, the journey began long before 1985. Company founder and director Mick Norton is a member of the Norton Family Whalers, who have been living in and associated with the Tory Channel since 1828. 

Mick’s first job following school involved fishing in both Tory Channel and Cook Strait and has farmed many fish species over the years, including Mussels, Paua and Paua Pearls, Kina, and now multiple varieties of seaweed. 

Clearly, it was kelp which struck a chord with Mick, who has now spent more than three decades researching, growing and experimenting with various species. His preferred variety is Macrocystis Pyrifera, which is known as Giant Kelp or Bladder Kelp to many, and makes up the bulk of his current products.