Northern Waters Oysters

Gus Crawford reckons he has found the perfect spot to set up the first retail shop for Northern Waters Oysters.

It’s on State Highway 1, just a couple of minutes north of Warkworth, and next door to the former Red House Restaurant.

As far as Gus is aware, it’s the only retail outlet selling oysters on the main highway between Auckland and Kawakawa.

The shop represents the latest development for Northern Waters after Gus and business partner Ben Moir took a punt two years ago and bought several dilapidated oyster farms on the Pahi River in northern Kaipara.

Gus says he lost 12kg in weight after wading in deep silt and mud to break down old farm structures and install new ones.

“But it was very satisfying for us to see the farms being cleaned up and restored,” he says.

Also satisfying was to start harvesting the oysters, which Gus says are the equal of famed Bluff oysters.

Indeed, the name Northern Waters was chosen to highlight that they provide a quality product from the north, in much the same way that “Bluff oysters” indicates one from the south.

Gus says since opening the shop last month, enthusiasm for the product has been shared by customers, who have commented on the wonderful taste and freshness of the oysters, and vowed to return.

In addition to selling their own oysters, Gus and Ben have plans to introduce other delicacies to their shop in the future, including whitebait, flounder, mutton birds, crayfish tails, scallops and fresh cherries from Cromwell.

Northern Waters Oysters is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5.30pm, 182 State Highway 1.