For the love of fish
Built on honest graft, heart and generations of know-how.
Truly, fresh fish daily.
Call to order
Theo’s Fisheries: a four-generation fish obsession.
It all began with Yotti and Yianni Ioannou’s great uncle Theo Papageorge. Theo then passed the baton to Peter Ioannou, who carried it through 40 years of hard graft, standards and plenty of pride. Later, continued another 30 years by Yotti and Yianni’s aunt and uncle. Now it’s our turn.
Meet brothers Yotti and Yianni
It’s been a family affair since day dot and we treat our community and customers as such.
More than a matter of top-quality seafood, we’re passionate (almost obsessive) about making our shop and Theo’s Fisheries a hub for good produce, even better foodie advice and a laugh for good measure.
We were raised here. We grew up in this business. You can see it in the product we deliver. And our bold passionate service.
Family owned & operated since 1950
Our History
Our History Theo Papageorge arrived in New Zealand in 1949 after serving in the British Army in WW2. Of all the Commonwealth countries he was offered to settle in, it was his Kiwis friendships that sealed his decision to come to New Zealand.
1950
Original shop window
With life in Cyprus behind him, his next chapter began: converting a small butchery shop into a traditional fish and chippery and fish deli. “Theo’s” officially swung open its doors in May 1950 at 82 Riccarton Road—where we still stand today. 10 years on, his nephew, Peter Ioannou arrived from Cyprus. A fresh new chapter for Theo’s and Peter’s life.
Peter Ioannou
40 years at the helm, Peter saw it shape into the Cantabrian institution that it is today—raising a family, growing a business, and enjoying tight-knit relationships with local fishermen and smaller fishing companies.
1996
Full page ad in The Press following the first major shop renovation.
Reins now in hands, Kyriacos and Victoria spruced Theo’s Fisheries up with major renovations—making friends and building that treasured community along the way.
Yianni with monster NZ blue-fin tuna
1964
Original shop window
Peter took over Theo's Fisheries in 1964, after a hefty mentorship from his uncle. The first to arrive at 5:00am, and the last to leave at 8pm, Peter had an unshakeable work ethic. “There are two things I have never seen, a green horse, and Peter sitting down,’ a customer once said. Peter was Theo's Fisheries. Sure, his skills and craft were second-to none. But his warm service, graft and integrity—not to mention family focus—saw a community bustle around the shop. ‘We see them not just as customers, but as friends,’ he would often note.
Original shop
1991
Kyriacos Georgiou
Daughter Victoria and son-in-law Kyriacos were next to carry the Theo’s Fisheries torch—learning the craft, ways, and humouring a fair few jokes, from Peter over five years.
Peter and 4 year old Yotti
2011
Victor, Yotti’s son (5th generation) with his uncle Kyriacos (3rd generation).
As Victoria and Kyriacos neared 20 years in the business, the next generation entered the fold: Panayioti ‘Yotti’ Ioannou. He had a good 60 years of Theo’s Fisheries know-how to absorb and values to carry on. Proof in the pudding? Yotti, just like his granddad Peter, still insists on being the first in and the last out.
It’s a true story of togetherness: four generations working at the original Riccarton Road site.
We’ll be continuing the passion for product, our family and our community for generations to come. And we think that’s pretty special.
1950
Original shop window
With life in Cyprus behind him, his next chapter began: converting a small butchery shop into a traditional fish and chippery and fish deli. “Theo’s” officially swung open its doors in May 1950 at 82 Riccarton Road—where we still stand today. 10 years on, his nephew, Peter Ioannou arrived from Cyprus. A fresh new chapter for Theo’s and Peter’s life.
1964
Original shop window
Peter took over Theo's Fisheries in 1964, after a hefty mentorship from his uncle. The first to arrive at 5:00am, and the last to leave at 8pm, Peter had an unshakeable work ethic. “There are two things I have never seen, a green horse, and Peter sitting down,’ a customer once said. Peter was Theo's Fisheries. Sure, his skills and craft were second-to none. But his warm service, graft and integrity—not to mention family focus—saw a community bustle around the shop. ‘We see them not just as customers, but as friends,’ he would often note.
Peter Ioannou
40 years at the helm, Peter saw it shape into the Cantabrian institution that it is today—raising a family, growing a business, and enjoying tight-knit relationships with local fishermen and smaller fishing companies.
Original shop
1991
Kyriacos Georgiou
Daughter Victoria and son-in-law Kyriacos were next to carry the Theo’s Fisheries torch—learning the craft, ways, and humouring a fair few jokes, from Peter over five years.
1996
Full page ad in The Press following the first major shop renovation.
Reins now in hands, Kyriacos and Victoria spruced Theo’s Fisheries up with major renovations—making friends and building that treasured community along the way.
Peter and 4 year old Yotti
Yianni with monster NZ blue-fin tuna
2011
Victor, Yotti’s son (5th generation) with his uncle Kyriacos (3rd generation).
As Victoria and Kyriacos neared 20 years in the business, the next generation entered the fold: Panayioti ‘Yotti’ Ioannou. He had a good 60 years of Theo’s Fisheries know-how to absorb and values to carry on. Proof in the pudding? Yotti, just like his granddad Peter, still insists on being the first in and the last out.
It’s a true story of togetherness: four generations working at the original Riccarton Road site.
We’ll be continuing the passion for product, our family and our community for generations to come. And we think that’s pretty special.
Where to find us
Opening Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8am - 7pm
Fri: 8am - 8pm
Sat: 8am - 7pm
Sun: Closed