• Takitimu Seafoods opens again after completing necessary paperwork

Takitimu Seafoods opens again after completing necessary paperwork

The doors are once again open for both Takitimu Seafood shops in Hawke's Bay, just over 24 hours after Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated announced an 'administration oversight' had forced its closure.

The company, which has a processing plant and retail shop on the corner of Pandora Rd and West Quay, Napier, and a shop in Heretaunga St W, Hastings, came to a halt on Wednesday after the failure to renew the licences on time.

Takitimu Seafoods has been in operation for two years, after Ngati Kahungunu bought out previous operator Hawke's Bay Seafoods. Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said the licences were "reinvoked" by the Ministry of Primary Industries shortly before 5pm yesterday. 

In a statement, Tomoana said they were pleased to announce the reopening of the Takitimu Seafoods after a "very busy day" of completing necessary paperwork to ensure compliance for both retail and export processing.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers and our employees at Takitimu Seafoods."

During the temporary closure, the jobs of 145 shore staff were put on hold. Tomoana said at the time that the closure has nothing to do with fraudulent activity or concerns regarding the quality of their product. 

"This happened during a time of transition when we were recruiting key roles (including the Chief Executive) that would be responsible for this compliance process."

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