Media release 2 February 2017 – The Picton Maritime Festival on 21 January was a great day all round according to the NZKS team and festivalgoers at this year’s event on the Picton foreshore.

Festival attendees were able to sample free Regal salmon tastings along with the ever-popular salmon and cream cheese bagels featuring the new Regal Wood Roasted Sweet Chilli Lime salmon. This gave the festivalgoers a good kick-start to their day and as a result of these high sales, saw the NZKS team proudly raise $1,300 for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter.

There was also a great response to the filleting demonstration and pin boning competition led by Mark Preece from our Picton Office handling the three shows. The competition was boosted with an enthusiastic announcer on the MC and along with the balloon makers creating all sorts of fish balloons; the tent attracted a good crowd.

Our new educational programme, delivered to all Marlborough schools and available online, was available to view during the festival, with much interest from children, parents and teachers alike. Educational activity giveaways proved popular with the kids as well as parents and caregivers, who saw them as a great school holiday activity. The added bonus of balloon makers, free chocolate fish and the bubble machine meant many children got an appreciation of the fun and education that comes with learning about New Zealand King Salmon.

NZKS would like to thank all those locals and tourists from near and far who attended the Picton Maritime Festival and in particular give thanks to BidVest Nelson for their contributions of the cream cheese and bagels.