What is Hoki Fish? Why is it good?
Newflands products are proudly made with New Zealand Hoki fish (Macruronus novaezelandiae). But, if you aren’t from our corner of the world, chances are you’ve never even heard of Hoki! You may not know what it is or what its incredible health benefits are. In fact, most parts of the world get wild-caught Alaskan Polluck on their McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish. However, come to New Zealand or Australia, and you’ll get Hoki with your side of fries!
This article will explain the amazing benefits of this fabulous fish and just what Hoki can do for you and your dogs and cats. Plus, we’ll talk about how Hoki is sustainably caught. We do this to protect our beautiful environment for future generations of people and their pets.
What is Hoki?
Hoki fish (Macruronus novaezelandiae) is a deep sea fish found off the southern and west coast of New Zealand. These are some of the cleanest waters in the world. Hoki is a long, thin white fish with silvery-blue scales and white flesh. It grows to a little over 4’ in length (1.3 meters). It is a delicate, delicious, and nutrient-rich fish that’s popular in New Zealand.
What’s more, the fish reproduce in large numbers. That means they can be harvested without harming the population. However, as a rule, Newflands will only use Hoki that has been sustainably sourced in our products.
Health benefits
What benefits does Hoki have for our furbabies? If you cannot already tell Hoki fish is the staple ingredient in most of our products here at Newflands. As it is high in Omega 3 fatty acids and rich in protein, it offers many health benefits to our products and the pets who consume them.
Some of the health benefits your dog or cat will get from consuming Newflands products made with Hoki include:
- Healthy skin and glossy coat
- Reduced inflammation
- Joint support
- Cardiac care
- Cognitive function
Hoki fish and your pet
With all these health benefits, you can easily see why we use Hoki in our products! However, don’t take our word for it. Read these amazing stories from our clients about how it has worked wonders for their beloved pets:
Kelly writes:
“I brought the oil for my 6 month Dalmatian puppy as he kept scratching and was a bit pink on his belly. His skin has improved immensely and he is no longer constantly scratching – thank you!”
Hayley writes:
“I have been giving my 2 cats the Newflands fish oil for about 1 month now and they are both loving it! The fish oil is the first part of a meal to get eaten despite the fact that my fussy girl refuses to eat fish. Despite being raw feed my Ocicat always had quite a dry dull looking coat but now both her and my Cornish Rex have the shiniest, softest coats. It has also helped a lot with the Ocicats slightly stiff hind legs. I’m loving the results and the cats are loving the taste. Highly recommended and thanks Fiona for your willingness to share your vast knowledge!”
Sustainability of Hoki fish
Due to the high commercial usage of Hoki, it is essential that every New Zealand Hoki fishery has sustainable practices in place. For example, they set a yearly catch limit, for fishing Hoki. Not only does ensuring sustainable practices allow a future for our marine life, but it also ensures our customers are receiving top-quality, eco-friendly products.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sets a fisheries standard for sustainable marine fishing. It helps buyers recognize that the fish they purchase and the marine environment are well looked after during the harvesting process.
Do not be afraid to do your own research about harvesting practices; it is highly beneficial to know where and how your seafood is sourced. Even having basic knowledge can allow you to make better decisions when hunting for the best product.
In saying that, it is super important when sourcing marine-based products that you look out for labels that represent sustainability. If you’re unsure, do not be afraid to ask your supplier if they are using environmentally-friendly products. This guarantees you are getting a top-quality product. Plus, it gives you peace of mind that you are doing your bit for the future of New Zealand waters and marine life.
We here at Newflands are proud to say that our products are made with sustainably-sourced MSC Hoki. You can be confident when buying from us that you are contributing to the health and future of our oceans.
How Newflands uses Hoki fish
Our Hoki Oil, Hoki Treats and Omega-i Oil are all made with sustainably fished New Zealand Hoki fish oil. We believe life is about balance. With Newflands Hoki oil, your pets will receive balanced support for the best quality of life possible!
For further information about the health benefits of Hoki, check out our website and our base product ‘Hoki Oil.’ You’ll see just what it can do for your furbabies!
From our popular Hoki Oil; palatable Hoki Topper that will please even the pickiest eaters; delicious Hoki Gravy; freeze-dried Hoki Treats your cats and dogs will beg for — we truly have something to suit your entire fur family.
And, if you’re still unsure which product is best for your pet, just ask! If there is one thing we know, it’s Hoki!
As a final note — a huge thanks to the team at OpenSeas NZ for their incredible support of New Zealand Hoki and all things New Zealand seafood. Special thanks for allowing us to use their image (captured by Terry Hann at Wreford Hann Photography) in this blog.