Whitebait are among New Zealand's most iconic freshwater species and spend different stages of their lives moving between rivers and the sea. Healthy stream margins, wetlands and spawning habitat are essential to their survival, making them an important indicator of freshwater ecosystem health.

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Inanga also hold an important place within New Zealand's cultural heritage and freshwater traditions, reflecting the close relationship between communities and healthy waterways.

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Improving water quality and restoring riparian vegetation helps create better conditions for whitebait populations and many other native freshwater species.

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Inanga swimming in the river

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Photo courtesy on https://www.doc.govt.nz/​

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