While some of us are enjoying fish and chips on a Friday night, a quiet crew of volunteers is working behind the scenes to make sure our kids and grandkids can do the same.

This National Volunteer Week (15–21 June), it’s time to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our coastlines: honorary fishery officers, or HFOs.

These local legends support Fisheries New Zealand by donating at least 100 hours a year to help protect our shared fisheries.

They’re not just patrolling beaches and boat ramps—they’re educating fishers, answering questions, and stepping in when something doesn’t look right.

One example was a tip-off from a Manukau HFO about people illegally taking cockles from a closed beach.

That single call led to the recovery of more than 1,300 cockles.

In another case, 1,442 oysters were found in a car boot thanks to vigilant HFOs in Kawakawa Bay.

There are around 180 of these volunteers across the country, including right here near the Hibiscus Coast, helping keep our local fishing spots sustainable.

With 11,000 to 14,000 inspections carried out annually, it’s safe to say they’re making an impact.

If you spot someone in uniform checking buckets or chatting with fishers this week, give them a nod—or a thank you.

If you have questions about becoming an HFO, email [email protected]

Know something local worth sharing?

Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.