Port Nicholson Fisheries operates in seven of the nine commercially fished lobster quota management areas defined by New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries.  In 2012 the company was acquired by several iwi (traditional Māori social units that now also act as businesses).  Those iwi were Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW), Iwi Collective Partners (ICP) and Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri Asset Holding Company.  Recognizing the benefits of collaboration to utilize the country's precious crayfish resource,  more iwi joined as limited partners over the following years.