Marie Brown • Feb 26, 2016 •
New Zealand’s freshwater bodies are as revered as they are imperiled. Despite decades of law devoted to protecting freshwater ecosystems and safeguarding water quality in some way or other, the decline in freshwater biodiversity is startling. Lakes, wetlands, estuaries, streams and rivers are home to a pretty incredible array of wildlife that is in deep trouble. While some effort … Read More
Waiology • Nov 17, 2014 •
By Paul Franklin Every spring New Zealanders can be found creeping out at the crack of dawn to line the lower reaches of our rivers in the hope of catching that New Zealand delicacy – whitebait! As the mist lifts and the fishing comes to an end for the day, conversations turn to that critical question… what’s the best recipe … Read More
Waiology • Sep 02, 2013 •
By Julia Bradshaw George Wood canned whitebait at Hokitika from 1893 until at least the 1920s. (Photo: Hokitika Museum, #4578)Unlike the rest of New Zealand, on the West Coast the season for catching whitebait starts on 1 September and the build-up has been noticeable during the last week. Distinctive huts have appeared along the sides of rivers, motor-homes … Read More
Waiology • Aug 29, 2013 •
By Jane Goodman A bucketful of Giant kokopu (Photo: Emily Funnell).New Zealand’s whitebait fishery consists of the young of five migratory galaxiid species – inanga (Galaxias maculatus), koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus), giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) and shortjaw kokopu (Galaxias postvectis). Smelt (Retropinna retropinna) are also present in catches from some rivers along with the young … Read More
Waiology • Aug 15, 2013 •
By Amber McEwan Beginning today, August 15th, a bunch of keen New Zealanders will creep out of their homes in the freezing dark morning and take to the rivers armed with waders, swandris and optimistic hearts. This canny lot set up their pozzies and then wait for luck to strike. To other whitebaiters in the area they give nothing … Read More