The Simunovich family is now more about food and property than fishing, although its remaining interests in fisheries stand to gain from September’s election and the canning of New Zealand’s largest ocean sanctuary.
Having sold most of its New Zealand fishing assets to Sanford for $137 million in 2004, the family-owned seafood business established by Ivan Simunovich in the 1950s has progressively diversified into olive oil, restaurants and property development.
Concerns over the fishing assets having given donations to the previous campaigns of deputy prime minister Winston Peters and MP Shane Jones resurfaced when plans for the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary were put on ice as part of New Zealand First's coalition deal with Labour.
Peter and Donna Simunovich still own 75% of Seafish Tasmania, a company that has been heavily criticised by environmentalists for its fishing practices.
Much less controversial is the Simunovich Olive Estate and Bracu restaurant on the Bombay Hills owned by Ivan, who still retains a half share in Simunovich Fisheries.
Among its assets is a half share of the popular Ocean Point luxury apartment complex at Orewa.