National Restoration Effort Escalates as Īnanga Classification Shifts to Nationally Vulnerable

As the whitebait season commences across Aotearoa, freshwater conservationist Nic Naysmith is calling for increased kaitiakitanga to protect the critical spawning habitats of native īnanga. The seasonal tradition, which involves catching the juvenile stage of several native freshwater species, faces new urgency following a recent Department of Conservation (DOC) assessment. As reported by Waatea News and Matthew Tukaki on September 18, 2026, īnanga have been moved from 'At Risk–Declining' to the more serious category of 'Threatened–Nationally Vulnerable.' This shift underscores the precarious state of the fishery, where īnanga make up approximately 90 percent of the total whitebait catch. Naysmith, who leads the National Īnanga Spawning Programme (NĪSP) through the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, has been travelling the country to provide specialised training to iwi, hapū, and local conservation groups. The programme aims to bridge the gap between tradition and environmental health by identifying and restoring the less than 100 hectares of spawning habitat remaining nationally. Īnanga rely on specific streamside vegetation located where saltwater influences the upper reaches of rivers. These 'nurseries' are frequently threatened by stock trampling, mowing, and general habitat degradation. Beyond īnanga, the effort also protects rarer endemic species like the banded, giant, and shortjaw kōkopu. Working alongside landowners, farmers, councils, and DOC staff, the initiative emphasizes the deep connection between awa, repo, whenua, and moana. Practical measures of kaitiakitanga include fencing waterways to exclude stock, restoring native streamside plants, and implementing pest control to ensure the next generation of fish can thrive. Naysmith maintains that the objective is not necessarily to end whitebaiting, but to ensure the practice remains sustainable for future generations. By empowering hapū and local communities with the skills to identify these nurseries in the long grass beside rivers, the NĪSP is helping to mitigate the primary challenges to the species' reproduction. As nets are set in waterways this season, the focus remains on whether enough is being done to ensure mokopuna will continue to know īnanga. Naysmith’s message is clear: protecting whitebait requires more than just managing fishing nets; it requires the active restoration of the specific habitats where these native fish lay their eggs during spring tides. The collaborative efforts represent a vital step toward ensuring the survival of iconic native species in the face of growing environmental threats.