This year marks an important milestone for the Burkhart family, fifty years since Dennis and Trevor Burkhart, alongside their wives Barbara and Cathy, began what would become one of Marlborough’s most enduring family businesses. Their story starts in 1976, when Burkhart Fisheries was born as a small, hardworking operation packing rock lobster tails for export to the United States. What began as a nimble local enterprise quickly grew into one of the region’s most respected seafood processors, built on innovation, resilience, and family values.
By the mid-1980s, the Burkhart's were pioneering new territory. After years of trial and refinement, they shifted their focus to live lobster processing and export which was a bold move at the time. The company became one of the first to perfect the intricate process of live export to Japan, a specialty that remains at the heart of their operation today. With around 100 tonnes of lobster passing through their Ward facility annually, the business now uses sophisticated seawater recirculation systems and meticulous electronic monitoring to ensure premium quality. Their vision has always stayed the same: foster a workplace where every employee feels ownership and remain steadfast in delivering world-class product to both domestic and international markets.
A willingness to evolve has long been the Burkhart hallmark, and nowhere is that more evident than in their next chapter. In 2018, the family ventured into tourism, as they acquired Marlborough Tour Company. What followed was a rapid education in a completely new sector, one that would soon be tested by the arrival of Covid. True to form, the Burkhart's took challenge as opportunity. They used the pause to sharpen systems, strengthen their team, and explore what their involvement could bring to the region they care deeply about.
Today, Marlborough Tour Company has grown into one of the country’s leading tourism operators, spanning seven iconic brands including Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove Resort, Cougar Line, Pelorus Mail Boat, Wilderness Guides and the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company. Their integrated model, connecting accommodation, on-water transport, guided adventures, and wine and seafood experiences offers something rare in New Zealand: a seamless, end-to-end Marlborough journey. From airport pick-ups to water taxi connections, guided hikes to steaming mussels served fresh on deck, the experience is delivered with authenticity, care, and a deep respect for people and place.
Underpinning it all is a commitment to community and the environment. From sponsoring conservation initiatives like Kaipūpū Sanctuary and the Arapaoa Kiwi Trust, to supporting local fundraisers and working closely with iwi and DOC, the Burkhart's view business as a way to give back.
Fifty years on, the Burkhart family has grown from a small crayfish operation to a group shaping how visitors experience Marlborough’s landscapes and stories. Through every reinvention, one thing has remained constant: a belief in hard work, local people, and the extraordinary place they call home.
