Chocolate Fish Cafe to close in Wellington after lease termination

Saturday 4 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 4 reports · updated Sun 5 Oct 2025, 12:45pm

In this story Peter Jackson, Chocolate Fish Cafe, Fran Walsh

The Chocolate Fish Cafe in Shelly Bay will close at the end of January after landlords Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh ended the lease. The property company stated the closure is necessary to complete renovations on the historic submarine barracks. The decision will result in 28 staff members losing their jobs.

How they headlined it

22h

Sat 11:10am1:49pm2:31pmSun 12:45pm

1. NZ HeraldSat 4 Oct 2025, 11:10am

   Sir Peter Jackson to close Wellington’s Chocolate Fish Cafe after 15 years (opens in new tab)

2. The Post via StuffSat 4 Oct 2025, 1:49pm

   ‘Impossible’ for iconic Wellington cafe to stay, Sir Peter Jackson firm says, as historic building renovated (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsSat 4 Oct 2025, 2:31pm

   Beloved Wellington café's lease terminated by landlord Peter Jackson (opens in new tab)

4. RNZSun 5 Oct 2025, 12:45pm

   Sir Peter Jackson to force closure of popular Chocolate Fish Café (opens in new tab)