Posts by Donna Wells

Donna Wells

By Donna Wells / May 17, 2026

Kia ora and welcome to my profile – 10 years on! April 2026 – month of my 68th trip around the sun. It might be best to start now and revisit… The biggest news is that on 1 May 2024, Finestkind Limited was sold to Dan Martin, and became Finestkind NZ Ltd!  After 23 years…

LYNISE ANNE KIREKA (EDEN)

By Donna Wells / May 17, 2026

Profile 2026 Raising two boys has been my past ten years. Eden now 9 and Bowen 7.Nothing quite like motherhood to humble one’s self and reevaluate life and its meaning which I believe is a beautiful gift our children give us. I am very grateful for the woman they have pushed me into becoming just…

Leonie Noble – Woman in Seafood

By Donna Wells / April 9, 2025

Profile Update: 2025 This month we update with Leonie Noble, from WA. At the time of writing, Leonie is preparing for an overseas bucket list holiday with hubby and continues to actively contribute to the Australian Seafood Industry.  Thanks so much for all your efforts, Leonie.  Keep your star shining. Leonie’s career has been guided…

Renee Shields

By Donna Wells / April 9, 2025

Profile Update: 2025 Renee left Sealord Group in 2018, after holding positions in HR, Vessel Co-Ordinator and Fleet Harvest Manager to venture into her own business, Palm Boutique in Nelson from June 2018 to August 2022 After 5 successful years at the helm of retail store Palm Boutique, Renee sold the business to pursue her start-up company, Fundpay, as well as assisting in…

Jodie Kuntzsch

By Donna Wells / August 1, 2024

JODIE KUNTZSCH – UPDATE 2024 Like many in the seafood industry, my career path has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for the ocean and a commitment to driving positive change in the way we interact with it. Over 20 years ago, I first arrived in New Zealand and into the world of fisheries and…

Reni Wereta-Gargiulo

By Donna Wells / July 31, 2024

Kiwi Kai Reni Wereta-Gargiulo, Owner and Business Manager Profile Update: March 2024 Humble beginnings and a love for Kai brought my father’s beautiful Raw Fish signature dish to the forefront of our Kiwi Kai business. Wind the clock another few years and Atutahi Natives is also an integral part of our business. Atutahi (my Koro)…

Rachel Taulelei

By Donna Wells / June 30, 2024

Rachel Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rarua and Ngāti Koata), CEO Kono NZ Profile Update: March 2024 Rachel is well known to the seafood industry and it’s been some years since we updated her story! But for those new to this wahine, she is a prominent business leader and a strong advocate for…

Carol Scott

By Donna Wells / June 30, 2024

Southern Inshore Fisheries Management Company Limited Carol Scott, Chief Executive  Profile Update: March 2024 Carol Scott is a Graduate of the University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College, having worked as a Vessel Operations Manager, Resource Manager, Fisheries Extension Officer, a Technical Officer and former Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) Director. Carol has 40 years’…

Christine Aston

By Donna Wells / June 20, 2024

Christine Aston 2024 Update It is now 8 years on since I wrote about my introduction to the fishing Industry, and much has changed for us. Back in 2012 we had brought a barge and started a part time business transporting vehicles, people and goods between French Pass and D’Urville Island, which took off in…

Diane Frost

By Donna Wells / May 31, 2024

Fishing Contract Services (commercial) Diane Frost 2024 UPDATE My involvement in the Seafood Industry is now a small role comprising some administrative and quota management work only.  In 2008 I began studies and retrained as a social worker. I worked part time practicing social work alongside the fishing industry from 2011. I did continue having…