Ben’s grandfather Charlie Warren was a dairy farmer in Tinopai on the  Kaipara Harbour in the 1960s. When oyster farming became a possibility, Charile applied for and received a marine lease on the coastal section of his farm.  With his bulldozer he cleared the lease area of rocks to establish a growing platform on the sandstone base.

As oyster farming was in its infancy in New Zealand, Ben's grandfather tried many and various systems to grow oysters.  The main method used at the time was large wooden frame trays with chicken mesh on the bottom.  Harvesting was different, as In those days the oysters were the native rock oyster variety and once picked would be left under the house for a week to condition them. Now they’re picked and sent off to market within 1 – 2 hours of harvest. After many trials Charile found that the area at the back of the farm was just not suitable for a commercial farming venture.

In 1987 Ben’s father went into partnership with his friend Steve, who had previous oyster farming experience.  Purchasing three bare marine leases in the Bay of Islands, they built new racks, obtained a permit and picked wild oysters to grow and condition on the newly constructed farm. With a small wooden barge and a basic floating wooden pontoon (with no roof) they would work away all day picking, separating and relaying oysters.

Next they decided to set up their own factory in Moerewa. This meant that on top of the hours spent out on the water, they would spend a further 6-8 hours opening the oysters in the evenings and during the night.  They were easily working 16 hour days. The oysters they produced were mostly sent overnight to the Auckland market under the name Delikasea Products.

With four young boys, the oyster farm and factory and owning and managing numerous orchards, Ben’s parents came to the realization after three years that they couldn’t continue with all of the ventures. They sold their share of the oyster business to their friends Steve and Kartini.

In 1999 Ben was offered the opportunity to go into partnership with his parents Bob and Sophia on the same leases that his parents owned in 1985. Much of the infrastructure needed repair, so Ben set to work. First on his own then adding employees as the business could afford it. Ben's three brothers Nick, Mike and Chris all helped out on the farm in those early years.

At that time Ben was the youngest oyster farmer in the industry and remained so for many years.

Ben and his wife Jo bought his parents share in 2008 and formed Supacific Oysters Ltd. Eight years later they have expanded to six oyster farms. They have constantly upgraded gear and have a fantastic crew who have been with them for many years. The latest edition to the business is a small processing factory with a retail shop. 

Ben and Jo now have four children of their own, who come out to the farms on weekends and holidays. With the fourth generation in training who knows how far they will go.

Learn more about our farms here