Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream

Endangered Native Fish

76 percent of native freshwater fish are either threatened with or at risk of extinction including all five species of mudfish, four whitebait species

(shortjaw kōkopu, giant kōkopu, kōaro, īnanga, kanakana/piharau (lamprey)), tuna (longfin eel) and Stokell’s smelt.

You can help our project to restore waterways and educate people about freshwater species by embracing a stream near you to awhi awa.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand 45% of our rivers are unsafe for swimming and nearly half of our lakes in poor health.

The Challenges We Face

Internationally, biodiversity is declining twice as quickly in freshwater as in oceans and forests and nearly a third of all freshwater fish species are now at risk of extinction.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand's freshwater ecosystems are in a critical state. Less than 2% of waterways are considered pristine, with widespread pollution and declining water quality. This has devastating consequences with 45% of rivers are unsafe for swimming and nearly half of our lakes in poor health. Wetlands are also suffering, with recent mass bird deaths highlighting the severity of the problem. New government regulations are expected to exacerbate the issue, making it easier to damage or drain wetlands.

Footage: Jason Burton

Endangered Native Freshwater Fish

76 percent of native freshwater fish are either threatened with or at risk of extinction. Two-thirds of freshwater native bird species are also either threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened.

Most of the endangered freshwater fish species (32 of 39) are members of the galaxiidae family, which includes:

all five species of mudfish
four whitebait species
- shortjaw kōkopu
- giant kōkopu
- kōaro
- īnanga
kanakana/piharau (lamprey)
tuna (longfin eel)
Stokell’s smelt.

Why are we losing our freshwater fish?

There has been a decline in fresh water fish populations due to the loss of wetlands, drainage, hydro development, irrigation schemes and river diversions. Culverts and dams also impede or prevent travel and migration.

Sewage, toxins and effluent discharged into rivers and nutrients leaching from soils into waterways can result in large quantities of oxygen being removed from the water. The result of this oxygen depletion is that fish and eels will either die or move away[1]. In 2013, Frances Forsyth discovered that native fish and tuna were using Wellington’s stormwater system as access between streams and the sea[2]. Fish and eels prefer habitats with plenty of cover and many are nocturnal and secretive.

What can you do to help?
Help Restore Waterways!

A drain is the headwaters of a complex network of underground streams that flow untreated into our beautiful streams, rivers and lakes. Together we can learn how drain systems work and restore our waterways to create healthy wai (water) and habitats for endangered species.

Each year thousands of litres of storm water flows down the pipe network and out into our rivers, streams and the sea. Whatever goes down our drains, flows untreated into our lakes and rivers via a complex system of underground "streams" and effects all wildlife.

Awhi Awa - Embrace a Stream
Help restore waterways

1

Purchase a pack
Purchase an Awhi Awa pack on our website to adopt a stream, register and receive our kete with signage, instructions, and information on freshwater fish species and how you can revive our waterways.

Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream

2

Sign-up!
Sign-up to get our pānui (newsletter) with news and information on waterways, endangered species and what you can do.

3

Kete of Resources
Receive educational materials for tamariki (children) and advice on how to restore a stream.

4

Korero Mai

Let us know how you're getting on and share any tips, questions and advice you have with us and our community. Send us photos and updates once you've started to take care of a stream to info@endangeredspecies.org.nz, we would love to hear how you're getting on!