Hoki

How to identify hoki

A long, slender, flattened fish with a body that tapers to a thin, pointed tail. The long dorsal and anal fins join the tail fin, so there is no separate tail. The back is silvery with a purple or blue-green tinge, the sides and belly are silver, and the fins are darker. The head is fairly large with big eyes.

Where it lives in New Zealand

Hoki are found right around New Zealand from 10 m to over 900 m deep, most commonly at 200 to 600 m. Large adults usually live deeper than 400 m, while juveniles are in shallower water, especially on the Chatham Rise. They live on or near the bottom but move up into mid-water to feed on small fish, crustaceans and squid. In winter they gather to spawn off the West Coast of the South Island, around the Hokitika Canyon, and in Cook Strait.

How to catch it

Hoki are a commercial deepwater species and recreational catch is negligible. Almost all are taken by midwater and bottom trawlers, with the biggest catches on the West Coast spawning grounds from late June to September. Most people will meet hoki as fresh or frozen fillets, not on the end of a line.

Eating

Hoki has delicate white flesh with a mild taste. The fillet flakes easily, which makes it common in fish fingers and fish burgers. It suits most cooking methods except pan-frying crumbed or battered fillets. Fresh fillets work well in fish cakes, fish pie, curry or chowder.

Recipes

• Pan-fried hoki with wholemeal, bacon & herb crumb (Seafood New Zealand)
• Baked hoki fillet with fried bread crumbs, citrus and herb butter (Seafood New Zealand)

Good to know

Hoki is managed under the Quota Management System and is one of New Zealand's largest fisheries. In 2001 it became the first major whitefish fishery in the world to gain Marine Stewardship Council certification. Hoki live 20 to 25 years. Females grow larger than males.

Questions

What kind of fish is hoki?

Hoki is a deepwater whitefish in the hake family, also called blue grenadier or whiptail. It lives around New Zealand from 10 m to over 900 m deep and is caught almost entirely by trawlers, with the biggest catches on the West Coast spawning grounds in winter.

Is hoki good eating?

Yes. Hoki has delicate white flesh with a mild taste that flakes easily. Fresh fillets work well baked or in fish cakes, fish pie, curry or chowder. It is less suited to pan-frying as crumbed or battered fillets.

How is hoki managed?

Under the Quota Management System. Hoki is one of New Zealand's largest fisheries, and in 2001 it became the first major whitefish fishery in the world to gain Marine Stewardship Council certification. Hoki live 20 to 25 years.