The country's biggest salmon exporter is desperate to start farming in the open ocean away from warming coastal waters that are killing thousands of its fish.
A record breaking marine heatwave has hurt the company and there is emerging evidence there could be a repeat next year.
New Zealand King Salmon is warning the government it's got to do more to help the aquaculture industry adjust to climate change before it's too late.
Climate reporter Hamish Cardwell filed this report.