Sir Peter Jackson owns the site of Shelly Bay's Chocolate Fish Cafe.
Sir Peter Jackson owns the site of Shelly Bay's Chocolate Fish Cafe.
By RNZ
The owners of a popular Wellington cafe are apologising for blaming its closure on film-makers Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh.
Chocolate Fish Cafe owners Penny and John Pennington said last week they were shocked the cafe would be forced to close asthe film-makers, who own the property, were ending its lease as part of a redevelopment plan for Shelly Bay.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Penningtons said Jackson and Walsh were not responsible for the decision, and they were wrong to say so.
“On Tuesday, September 30, we were informed by our landlord, Wingnut PM, that our tenancy at Shelly Bay will end on January 31, 2026. This was unexpected and came as an enormous shock to us.
“Regrettably and without foundation, we assumed Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh were responsible for the decision. However, we were wrong,” the Penningtons said.
The owners of Wellington's Chocolate Fish café have apologised to Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh for blaming them for the café's closure. Photo / RNZ
They say they respect the operational decisions of the cafe’s landlord, Wingnut PM, and apologise unreservedly and sincerely to Jackson and Walsh for claiming it was their decision to end the tenancy.
“We deeply regret our mistake and sincerely apologise for misleading the public and for any offence to Sir Peter and Dame Fran.
“We are issuing this apology of our own volition.”
The Chocolate Fish Cafe at Shelly Bay will close at the end of January next year. Photo / Google Maps
The Chocolate Fish Cafe has been operating at Shelly Bay for 15 years.
Jackson, best known for directing The Lord of the Rings films, purchased the historic Submarine Barracks property at Shelly Bay with partner Walsh in 2023.
A Wingnut PM spokesperson previously said they had been in discussions with the Penningtons for the past year about its pending closure.
The spokesperson said the owners had been aware the original Submarine Barracks required “substantial remedial work”, including replacing the roof, restoring its historic frontage, interior renovations, applying a new coat of paint to the exterior and temporarily closing the parking area for tar-sealing.
The spokesperson said it had already offered support to the owners by allowing the cafe to remain open over the coming summer period.
The Chocolate Fish Cafe will remain open in Shelly Bay until the end of January next year.
“Between now and then, we and our amazing team look forward to welcoming Wellingtonians and visitors alike to enjoy the legendary Chocolate Fish experience,” the Penningtons said.
