Fullers Bay of Islands staff have given notice of industrial action, in what staff say is their first-ever strike action.
The company, which was bought by Intercity Group last year, is famous for its boat trips in the Bay of Islands.
Ailsa Murray, a Fullers' skipper on the "Hole in the Rock" cruise for 40 years, says workers will walk off the job for two hours on Friday, 8 July.
She says Intercity has offered its staff a small pay rise, but wants to abolish meal allowances, which amounts to a pay cut.
Mrs Murray says most staff have worked for the company for years and find the prospect of strike action horrifying, but feel they have no other option.