Early settlers named the whitebait species 'Galaxid', after the galaxy, as they thought that the spots on their backs looked like stars in the night sky.


Whitebait catch consists primarily of the young of three species: inanga, koaro and banded kokopu; inanga is by far the most commonly caught species.


Giant kokopu, short-jawed kokopu and smelt are also occasionally present in the whitebait catch along with the young of many other fish such as eels, bullies and trout.


Most whitebait species spend part of their life cycle in fresh water and part in the sea.  However, some have adapted to being landlocked in lakes and no longer have to migrate to the sea to breed e.g. dwarf inanga.

 

In late winter and early spring whitebait migrate back up rivers and streams, finally settling and growing in bush covered streams and swamps. The start of the migration is thought to be influenced by river flows (i.e. shortly after floods) and phases of the moon.

 

Mature inanga adults migrate downstream to lower river sections and estuaries to spawn in grasses covered by water during spring tides. The eggs remain in the grass until the next spring tide covers them again when the young hatch and are carried out to sea. The spawning habits of other whitebait species are not well known.

 

The five galaxiid species are found in many different habitats from lowland swamps to rocky streams. Their presence appears to be closely tied to overhead cover and waterside vegetation.

 

Giant kokopu live in swampy and heavily vegetated streams, often in pools over a mud bottom. Short-jawed kokopu, banded kokopu and koaro prefer fast flowing rocky or boulder bottomed streams with forest cover. Inanga are less "fussy" but are generally found in lower catchment waters.

 

One of the major problems affecting the whitebait fishery is the destruction of habitat for egg laying or adult fish. As whitebait adults tend to live in natural swamps and bush covered streams it is in the best interest of whitebaiters to ensure that adequate areas of these habitats remain.

 

The Department of Conservation has been active in identifying whitebait spawning habitat and arranging for its protection. Protection has involved seeking the co-operation of landowners to have spawning areas fenced off from stock. The Department sees the protection of whitebait spawning habitat as playing a major role in enhancing the lasting viability of the fishery.

 

Another major problem is barriers that stop young fish from getting to adult habitat.

 

Please note that whitebait are native fish and the giant and short-jawed kokopu are under threat in many areas!

 

Your assistance in keeping the whitebait fishery healthy not only benefits you, but the health of New Zealand's natural living systems. Don't take more than you need.

 


 

 

 

Whitebait Connection (WBC) coordinators.
Please scroll down to see the full list in geographical order.

Kim Jones
National and Northland WBC Coordinator
Kia ora koutou!  I am  the national coordinator for the Whitebait Connection programme and trustee of its founding trust the Mountains to Sea Conservation trust.  I've been involved in environmental education since 2003 and my favourite part of the job is being out in the environment - natures classroom!  I'm also a Northland coordinator for the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) programme and co-founder of the Drains To Harbour stormwater awareness campaign and Mangrove Discovery Programme.  I am a graduate of Environmental Management, Conservation, Business Administration and Computing and was lucky enough to study here in Northland.
Phone: (09) 434 0779
Email:  kim.j@whitebaitconnection.co.nz. 



Nicki Wakefield
Northland WBC Coordinator
Nicki Wakefield (Ngapuhi, Ngai Tahu, Te Arawa) holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waikato. Nicki gained many skills throughout her study, which ranged widely from marine and terrestrial ecology to study of the Resource Management Act. Since completing her degree in 2007 Nicki has undertaken genetic research on plant and animal species endemic to New Zealand (Giant Wire Rush and the Auckland Tree Weta). Nicki is a trustee of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, as well as coordinator for Experiencing Marine Reserves and Drains to Harbour programmes which are umbrellaed by the trust along with the Whitebait Connection.  Nicki is currently on maternity leave.
Phone: 0272424845
Email: nicki@whitebaitconnection.co.nz







Murray and Joe Palmer
Gisborne WBC coordinators 
Phone: 021 177 1926 / 06 868 7133
Email: m.palmer@clear.net.nz









Mel McColgan
Nelson WBC/Waimaori coordinator
Melanie McColgan is based in Nelson, but works with many schools/groups at locations all over the top of the South Island from Rai Valley to Golden Bay in Nelson/Tasman Bays. She has been involved with delivery since 2004, at that time, Sarah Langi was the WBC Co-ordinator and Melanie the Iwi representative. In 2006, changes to the Waimaori programme led to her taking on sole delivery as Co-ordinator.
Educational background: Environmental Science and DoC'sTrainee Ranger/Certificate in Conservation, Iwi Environmental Management.

Mel is currently delivering the programme (10 hrs per week), with support from both of councils - Tasman District & Nelson District, DoC and still under Tiakina te Taiao.
 
Mel works out of the Tiakina office on Tuesdays & Fridays 9.30 - 3pm.  
Tiakina te Taiao Phone: (03) 546 7842
 
Outside of those hours Mel can be contacted on the following numbers: 
HM. (03) 545 1752
Mob. 021 119 2255
Email: titi711@gmail.com

Ali Kay
Marlborough/Blenheim WBC coordinator and environmental educator for Marlborough District Council
Phone: (03) 520 7400
Email: ali.kay@marlborough.govt.nz

Penny McIntosh
Westport (Buller - Kawatiri) WBC coordinator
Phone: 03) 788 8016
Email: pmcintosh@doc.govt.nz

Westport is 87% bush so their focus is on getting the kids out to enjoy it.  Penny and Suvi are operating WBC and linking it into their Kiwi Rangers Course which is an awesome course where primary children have an opportunity to get into some adventure filled ranger activities including caving, night walks, kiwi listening and Whitebait Connecting!  They have 3 Whitebait connection sites and 3 of their schools have adopted Whitebait spawning sites.




Cody Frewin
Canterbury WBC, Mahaanui Area Coordinator
Kia ora koutou
Ko Cody Frewin taku ingoa.
I am the community relations/education ranger for the Department of Conservation, Mahaanui Area Office, Otautahi/Christchurch.  As part of this role I deliver the Whitebait Connection programme in the Mahaanui Area – the focus at the moment is on schools and community groups in the Christchurch region – but this will be extended out across the whole of Mahaanui Area in time.  Cody is currently on leave until January 2012, but Annabelle Studhelm has just been employed by DoC Mahaanui Area Office as her secondment.
Phone: (03) 341 9119
Email: cfrewin@doc.govt.nz

 

 

Cornelia Vervoorn

Franz Joseph Area Coordinator


Kia ora tatou!

My name is Cornelia, and I work in the community relations team in the Franz Josef Waiau Area

and the South Westland Weheka Area, surrounded by Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Part of my job is delivering conservation education in local schools, and one of the most fun parts is the Whitebait Connection.

Whitebait is a pretty big deal here on the Coast, and local schools are always keen to learn all they can about their freshwater environments.

We also are lucky enough to have New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland on our doorstep - Okarito Lagoon!

I work out of the Franz Josef Waiau office, and can be contacted any time during the week.


phone: 03 7520 084

email: cvervoorn@doc.govt.nz 

 
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