When the bridge traffic became too thick for safety, 33 years ago, he moved to the carpark outside the village's shops.
Stan Vlatkovich has retired but the early morning weekend trade has been carried on by his sons Peter and David.
Last Sunday morning's special buy, flounder at $9.90 a kilogram, drew customers from Albany to Papakura and by 7am the stall had sold out.
But it may not continue in business much longer. Peter Vlatkovich, 69, is considering whether to carry on following a shock directive from Auckland Council to move from the council-owned carpark, which is separated from the main street by a footpath and grass verge.
He was told the carpark spaces used by their refrigerated truck and its awning were needed for shops.
The alternative was a spot in a side street, McIntyre Rd. This, he considers, is not as safe as being close to bakeries and a supermarket, where staff work similar early hours.
David Vlatkovich, 61, his brother and helper at the stall, is a lawyer.
"We pay our fees to the council and we provide a service to people and now have to go through all this ... We don't need to do this," he said.
The brothers have retained barrister Andrew Gilchrist to fight their case.
The council will only say: "The council identified an issue with the licence held by Mr [Peter] Vlatkovich after a complaint was received from the Mangere Bridge Business Association regarding the location where he was trading. Auckland Council is now in communication with his lawyers and therefore cannot comment further at this time."
Mr Gilchrist said the council claimed that Peter Vlatkovich did not have a street trading permit to operate from the site.
"The issue is disputed. Such a licence [or similar] has been granted in the past."
David Vlatkovich said they felt "rumbles" against the stall after Auckland Council took over the area from Manukau City Council.
"We have a letter dated February 1981 from the Manukau City Council saying the business is exempt from the council's street-trading bylaws.
"This little truck takes two carparking spaces 10 hours a week and we disturb nobody.
"The council guy said to shift round to the corner. This is a dark area and right across the road from houses, so who would set up there making noise and disturbing people?"
The current trading hours are Saturday 4.30am to not later than 10am and Sunday 4.30am to not later than 9am.
David Vlatkovich said a council requirement to trade under a gazebo on the grass verge would give rise to hygiene, security and disturbance issues.
Mangere Bridge Business Association chairwoman Pauline Anderson said the association had not complained.
"This an Auckland Council action in tidying up as it goes from the legacy [Manukau City] council rules and permits to the Super City's and has everyone operating on the same."
David Vlatkovich said customers included Cook Islands families wanting to send fish home, and airline pilots.
He recalled former Mangere MP and Labour Prime Minister David Lange - a family friend - lending a hand distributing the parcels of fish to customers on one busy Sunday morning.
One long-time customer is Mangere Bridge resident and former Manukau councillor James Papali'i.
"I remember going there when I was growing up. Peter is like an icon there and you get a good deal."
Mr Papali'i said the early morning trade meant the stall was not in competition with the shops for parking spaces.
Looking across the carparks to the fish stall is the Sunrise Bakery where a worker, Vu, was against the stall's moving.
"It's quite dark when we get to work and it's good to have the stall and its customers out there. We look after each other."
The Battle of Mangere Bridge
52 years
- Vlatkovich Fisheries selling in Mangere Bridge.
33 years
- present site in public carpark at the shopping centre.
1981
Manukau City Council exempts Peter Vlatkovich from street-trading bylaw.
2010
Auckland Council takes over administering regulations and bylaws.
2014
Peter Vlatkovich told business does not comply with the appropriate regulations despite having a street-trader licence.
