It was feared that members may have guessed their destination by the instructions to wear gumboots, be prepared to get wet, and bring the largest buckets they could find. They did not [guess]. Only as they sped north on State Highway One at 6.30 am did they learn where they were to strike. The failed Titahi Bay Seaquarium.

The fish in this prison had been described as too unremarkable to be wanted by other "aquariums", the power which controlled the heating and filter system was to be disconnected for non-payment of the account and the business was in receivership. The situation was critical. The fish could be left in the tank to die, or sold for fish and chips.

To enable us to give them a fighting chance in their natural habitat NZAVS purchased the "livestock" trapped in their prison from the receiver for the sum of one dollar. This gave us a receipt declaring they were the Society's 'property'. Under the legal contract we signed with the agents of McArthur Park Company Ltd (in liquidation and receivership) they, the agents, were committed to return the fish to the sea. Though NZAVS had no obligation to be physically involved, given the suffering, cost and casualty in the aquarium industry, not only did we do so but we were responsible for the success of the operation.

Following the sign of the seahorse we arrived at Titahi Bay beach which was deserted except for the receivers who were to facilitate entry to the premises through the roofspace, and several volunteer divers who would retrieve the fish from their concrete tank and pass them to their new 'owners'. A lone figure unsuspectingly walked a dog along the surf. The secrecy of the planned action had been well-kept.

The bitterly cold conditions were accentuated by a long wait for the water-level to be lowered enough for the fish to be netted. Though the draining valve had been opened at 4am this was an irritatingly slow procedure. Eventually two pumps were brought to hasten the emptying process as it was feared the fish may suffocate in the decreasing volume of water which got blacker and muddier by the minute as the level fell. The light rain gave way to a heavy downpour and this developed into a deluge which lasted throughout the entire rescue operation. For hours the rescuers were numb with cold and soaked with rain and sea-water.

When the partner of the Company, Mr McArthur, arrived to the sight of the fish being lifted from the tank and over the roof all hell let loose. Two car-loads of police arrived, reporters and photographers appeared from all directions, cameras clicked, things looked ugly and sundry on-lookers showed up from nowhere. Throughout this period of confusion and heated argument between the receivers, the aggrieved 'ex-owners' of the fish (Mr McArthur) the new 'owners' of the fish (NZAVS), the police and the press, nine staunch NZAVS members, unperturbed, lifted buckets of flapping, threshing, gasping fish from the divers, up and over the roof to willing hands who carried them chain-gang style along the sodden, treacherous track to the beach, across the rocks to deep water and freedom. Thus, in conditions that could not possibly have been more atrocious, and against all odds, thanks to the element of surprise, hundreds of fish were put back into the ocean where they belong.

Timaru Herald, 9 April 1991
Fish released:
Hundreds of fish were released into the sea from the financially troubled McArthur Park Seaquarium in Titahi Bay, near Wellington, yesterday after they were bought from the receiver by the Anti-Vivisection Society. The fish were bought by the Society for humane reasons, spokeswoman Bette Overell said. She and more than half a dozen helpers transferred the fish to the open sea.

New Zealand Sea Adventures
A.G. (Tony) Howell, Director of Operations and Training Wellington Division

10 April 1991

Dear Bette

I am writing to thank you and your team for the excellent job of assisting with the removal of the fish from the McArthur Park Seaquarium.

I was most impressed with your dedication and could not imagine a better group of helpers. You were kind, patient and caring and I believe totally responsible for the successful transfer.

I was cold and tired in a wet-suit so I can only admire the determination of you ten people. I know you were also cold, tired and hungry but i hope the operation gave you a sense of satisfaction knowing you saved so many fish.

Kindest regards and heartfelt thanks

Tony Howell

The Evening Post, Thursday May 23 1991
Bankruptcy papers filed
McArthur Park Seaquarium owner Bill McArthur has been served with bankruptcy papers after the High Court at Wellington ordered him to pay over $60,000 to his former business partner.

Former partner Tony Howell has filed bankruptcy papers to recover money owed to him from an investment he made with the company in 1989. Mr McArthur has 21 days to settle or be bankrupted. If bankruptcy proceedings are completed the lease for the seaquarium on Titahi Bay beach would be lifted by Porirua City Council which could reassign it or return it to its natural state (sand dunes).