Freshwater fish

A list all of New Zealand's freshwater fish species.

We have prepared a breakdown of the different guidelines that are available for sampling freshwater fisheries. The overview provides links to key documents that explain what should be considered when designing fish monitoring studies and how to implement the various sampling techniques.

Learn how to use the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD)

Banded kōkopu juveniles are very good climbers and will try to escape from buckets by clinging to and wriggling up the sides.

Our biosecurity management tools include: assessment models, field surveys, management advice and the testing of control methods.

This is a user guide on non-native fish, reptile, invertebrate, algal and plant species that are recorded in New Zealand freshwaters.

Identifying the factors causing fish numbers to drop will allow you to determine which restoration tools you need to employ.

The giant kōkopu is a native whitebait species considered rare and vulnerable. NIWA is working with Mahurangi Technical Institute and environmental consultancy Boffa Miskell to test the feasibility of reintroducing giant kōkopu to Nukumea Stream, north of Auckland.

The kōaro was once abundant in the Te Arawa lakes near Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island. NIWA has assessed the viability of restoring this species in the region.

Giant kokopu

Common bully

Torrentfish