Mussel venture sinks deeper into debt as govt funding dries up

OPINION: Troubled mussel-farm seeks private investors after public dollars dry up.

domenica 12 luglio 2026 New tab

92 words~1 min read

PremiumAnalysisAnalysis byMatt NippertBusiness Investigations Reporter·NZ Herald·12 Jul, 2026 05:00 PM5 mins to readMatt Nippert is a Business Investigations Reporter for New Zealand's Herald, specialising in breaking stories about fraud and corruption.

‌Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Whakatōhea Mussels managing director Peter Vitasovich at Ōpōtiki in September 2024.Something stinks in Ōpōtiki. Shellfish farmer and processor Whakatohea Mussels Ōpōtiki Limited (WMOL) was last month fined $135,000 by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council over wastewater treatment failures that shrouded the township with foul odours.

This bad smell also taints WMOL’s books. In the

Mussel venture sinks deeper into debt as govt funding dries up

Mussel venture sinks deeper into debt as govt funding dries up

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