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 / Alexander Robertson / AFP / Ana Elisa Fuentes / Getty Images
The owners of a popular Wellington café are apologising for blaming its closure on filmmakers Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh.
Chocolate Fish Café owners Penny and John Pennington said last week they were shocked the cafe would be forced to close as the filmakers, 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 Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh were not responsible for the decision, and they were wrong to say so.
"On Tuesday 30th September, we were informed by our landlord, Wingnut PM, that our tenancy at Shelly Bay will end on 31 January 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.
They say they respect the operational decisions of the cafe's landlord, Wingnut PM, and apologise unreservedly and sincerely to Sir Peter and Dame Fran 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 Café at Shelly Bay. Photo: Supplied/Google Maps Street View
The Chocolate Fish Café 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 Café 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," Penny and John Pennington said.
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