Local iwi turns invasive seaweed in Akaroa Harbour into exportable wakame snack

Undaria pinnatifida entered New Zealand waters before 1987 and spread throughout Akaroa Harbour, outcompeting native macrocystis kelp and harming the ecosystem. Recognising both the ecological risk and the market demand for wakame, Ngāi Tarewa’s Tainui and his rūnanga struck a partnership with Premium Seas, a 50/50 venture with Ceres Organics, to harvest and process the seaweed at facilities adjacent to Ōnuku Marae. Since the first two harvests, more than 1,000 kg of export-grade wakame has been produced, praised for its size and quality.

Young local divers, some as young as 16, are employed to collect the weed, gaining experience and income while helping restore the harbour. The two-year pilot aims to prove the model’s scalability and create longer-term jobs in areas such as marketing, product development and compliance. Project leaders see the venture as a way to restore the harbour’s native seaweed and secure a sustainable future for the community.