Date: 23/1/2025
Akaroa King Salmon is pleased to announce the appointment of Stewart Hawthorn as its new CEO. Stewart is relocating back to New Zealand from Scotland and brings a wealth of practical salmon business experience to this important leadership role. Duncan Bates, founding partner and current CEO, will remain as one of the partners on the board.
Retiring CEO and Founder Duncan Bates said, “After 40 years building Akaroa King Salmon it was important to me to find the right person to lead Akaroa in the years ahead. Stewart, who I have known for more than two decades, was my preferred choice as he brings more than 35 years of farming and salmon business experience to the role.”
Dean Moana, Chairperson, said, “We are delighted to have attracted a person of Stewart’s calibre to this important role as we seek to build on Duncan’s legacy. We are looking forward to welcoming Stewart back to Aotearoa as we continue to produce a truly exceptional product in a responsible way.”
Akaroa King Salmon is a proudly 100% New Zealand owned partnership that includes Ngāti Porou Seafoods, Te Kahui o Ōnuku- the mana moana (or guardians) of Akaroa Harbour and the founding Bates Family. This partnership has a whakawhanaungatanga (relationship) based around intergenerational sustainability, aiming to provide local employment and healthy seafood for today and future generations.
Hawthorn has worked in senior leadership roles in Scotland, Canada and New Zealand. He has extensive salmon farming experience and brings a commitment to farming in a sustainable way, working with local stakeholders and creating value for customers. He said, “I am excited to be joining the Akaroa team and to continuing my salmon farming journey with an innovative, independent producer of the finest quality salmon.”
About Akaroa King Salmon:
Akaroa King Salmon is a celebrated New Zealand delicacy, recognized with prestigious accolades such as the Cuisine Artisan Awards, Seafood Champion at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, and the endorsement of the New Zealand Chefs Association. Since 1985, they have sustainably raised salmon in Akaroa Harbour, continuing the fishing heritage of their tīpuna (ancestors), who have lived and worked here for 23 generations. As a 100% New Zealand-owned partnership with Māori iwi, they have a commitment to intergenerational sustainability that reflects their relationship as kaitiaki (guardians) of the unique environment in Akaroa, where the cold pure waters of the South Pacific meet Aotearoa New Zealand.
