While most fishing charters rely on the steady rumble of a secondary petrol-powered trolling motor to hold position, Catch a Fish uses a state-of-the-art Garmin solar-charged electric motor. It means guests can enjoy the serenity of the Lakes Wānaka, Whakatipu and Hāwea while waiting for the fish to bite, without the fumes, fuel spills, disruption to wildlife, or an anchor chain scraping along the lakebed disturbing the habitat.
Kiwi-Dutch couple Olly Garland and Sanne Keurentjes launched the business in March 2025, with sustainability front of mind. The customisation of their Stabicraft is just one of a number of initiatives aimed at working in balance with nature and the community, giving as much as they take.
They're also Impact Partners for Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown community funds, donating 1% of their proceeds to local environmental efforts, and they work alongside Wai Wānaka to monitor the health of the lakes, share detailed catch data with Fish & Game New Zealand, educate guests on catch-and-release and the most eco-friendly way to fish, and support local businesses.
"Olly studied Biology and Zoology and has always been obsessed with nature, animals and fishing, and my background is in sustainability, so we wanted to start a business that would combine our passions," Sanne says.
"For us, we've always talked about creating shared value, which is similar to regenerative tourism, looking for ways to run a business that adds value to your community. And with fishing, we take something from nature, so we feel a responsibility to give something back, as I think others should too."
Before moving to Australia and on to Aotearoa, Sanne worked in the Netherlands establishing a sustainability department for a major telecom provider - the equivalent of Spark here in New Zealand. Her role focused on rethinking business models, looking at the holistic cost of projects rather than the cheapest option, and finding efficiencies that also benefit people and the planet.
"The electric motor was a more expensive option, for example, definitely something we had to go further into the budget for. But it has GPS, so you can just tell it to stay in a location, which means Olly can focus on the guests more. The boat steers itself and he just must make sure it's safe.
"And when we talk to people onboard, they absolutely love it, the quiet, so hopefully that will lead to some word-of-mouth referrals and be a point of difference."
It means the charter will also use less fuel, so when the cost is spread over five years, it lands at a similar price to a petrol-powered version.
Always looking to improve
The plan is to eventually replace the main outboard petrol-powered motor with an electric version, when the technology makes practical and economic sense. Sanne and Olly are talking with North Island company Naut, which is developing its Kaha 300hp electric outboard engine. Naut showcased its electric-powered boat Ngaru at Electrify Queenstown 2025, but the outboard is not yet commercially available.
"The technology is progressing rapidly, and I think within the next five years we will have a fully electric boat. Sustainability is a never-ending story, where you look every day at how you can do things better."
For now, the company offsets emissions from the main petrol motor through certified programmes that fund projects like renewable energy, forest generation and carbon capture. It operates as a carbon neutral fishing charter.
Citizen science mission
Catch a Fish also contributes directly to environmental research and restoration. Each trip doubles as a citizen-science mission, collecting water-clarity data for the group WAI Wānaka using a Secchi disc. The results help monitor lake health and track the spread of invasive algae.
They also share catch data with Fish & Game, helping monitor fish populations across Lakes Wānaka, Hāwea and Whakatipu. Olly's training means he can assess fish health, encourage selective harvests, and promote a catch-and-release ethos.
“The health of the lakes and the fish define the future of our business and community,” says Sanne.
They also source fuel, maintenance, and fishing supplies from local providers, as well as freshly baked pastries for guests to enjoy onboard. And after a day on the water, chefs at Arc in Wānaka or Fino in Queenstown will prepare the freshly caught fish for dinner.
"We believe if you work together in a big circle, you can grow the pie for everyone. I think tourists welcome that, that they're supporting the community, to know the beautiful pastries come from a local bakery, and a nearby restaurant will cook their catch. It's part of the whole experience."
Regenerative tourism is not an add-on
The contribution to Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown shows the regenerative tourism ethos is at the heart of their business.
"Our philosophy is that regeneration is not an add-on, and it's not something new. It has always been part of business - how can you survive and how can you thrive. You do that in harmony with your surroundings, not set against them.
"Our goal is to create a business that lasts generations and long-term care for the community and environment goes hand in hand with that."