Freshwater biodiversity

Freshwater habitats

Our rivers, lakes and wetlands are home to various endemic plants, fish, birds and other wildlife that rely on healthy freshwater for at least part of their lifecycle.

Take a look at our indicative map layers to see where habitats of freshwater-dependant threatened species, conservation species and indigenous fish and their pathways are located. View the Freshwater Habitats map layers here. Wetlands are a vital part of these ecosystems and provide habitat for many of these species.

Learn more about protecting our wetlands

Fish passage

Maintaining fish passage is an important part of protecting the health of our freshwater ecosystems and safeguarding our native species for the future. Fish passage is a core requirement under the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NESF Clauses 58-74) to ensure native migratory species can complete their life cycles.

What the regulations require

New instream structures must allow fish to pass. Any new culvert, weir, flap gate, ford or dam structures in, on, over, or under the bed of any stream, river or connected area must be designed and installed so that fish can move through them.
Designs must follow the Fish Passage Guidelines (NIWA/MfE).
Existing structures may need modification to meet the standards if they block native fish migration.
Information must be provided to the Regional Council. Anyone installing a new instream structure or modifying one in the region, must complete an Instream Structure Notification Form to meet NESF clause 61 to 69 reporting requirements.

Maintaining fish passage is an important part of protecting the health of our freshwater ecosystems and safeguarding our native species for the future.

River reclamation

Reclaiming, piping, or infilling sections of rivers and streams can significantly affect water flow, habitat, and ecosystem health. For this reason, river reclamation is tightly regulated.

What the regulations require

Under the Regional Plan (rule BW R36) and the NESF (Clause 57), a new river reclamation is a discretionary activity and can only be granted if there is a functional need for the reclamation in that specific location and effects are managed using the effects management hierarchy.

Whitebaiting

Whitebait is a general term used to describe small freshwater fish that are edible. In New Zealand, it describes the juvenile forms (around 4-5cm long) of five species of fish in the Galaxiidae family.

Catching and eating whitebait is common cultural practice in New Zealand, however many of the fish species are either threatened or at risk, so responsible fishing is encouraged.

To help make sure of the long-term sustainability of these fish species, the Department of Conservation revised the Whitebait Fishing Regulations in 2021. These include the season (1 September to 30 October inclusive) and time when fishing is permitted, where you can whitebait and what gear you are able to use to do it. Please ensure you are familiar with the Whitebait Fishing Regulations.

Regional council’s role in whitebaiting

Regional council’s main role is to make sure any whitebaiting stands that are set up do not have a harmful impact on the environment and do not interfere with our flood defences (such as stopbanks).

Under the Regional Natural Resources Plan, the use, erection, reconstruction, placement, alteration or extension of whitebait stands in, on, under or over the bed of a waterway (i.e river, stream, lake or wetland) upstream of the Coastal Marine Area (roughly 1km from the river mouth) is a permitted activity (rule BW R26).

This means you do not need a resource consent, but you need to meet certain conditions. These include:

Getting permission from the landowner.
Making sure the structure is stable, fixed and maintained.
Making sure the structure is positioned at least 20m from any floodgate, culvert, bridge, stopbank or confluence.
Causing minimal disturbance to the bed of the water body while set-up is occurring, and no contaminants (including paint, solvents or petrol) are released into the water.

Unlike some parts of New Zealand, whitebaiting structures in the Bay of Plenty do not come with property rights. Subject to landowner approval for access, anybody can use a structure for whitebaiting on a first come first served basis each day.

Please refer to Rule BW R26 page 49 for the full list of permitted conditions.

When do I need resource consent for my whitebaiting structure?

If you are planning to build a whitebait stand in the Coastal Marine Area (approximately where the saltwater gets up to on a spring high tide), you will need a discretionary activity resource consent under rule BW R36 page 61.

If you are planning to build a whitebait stand within 20m of any flood defence, such as a stopbanks, you will also require a Rivers and Drainage Bylaw Authority. Find out whether your proposed location is near or in a Bylaw Applicable Area.

Find out more about the Flood Protection and Drainage bylaws and how to apply.

Finding the Coastal Marine Area

To find the Coastal Marine Area on your stream or river, see the Coastal Marine Area and River Mouth Boundary (Schedule 1) maps here.

Applying for a resource consent

Complete the form for ‘Construct a culvert or bridge, other instream works, lake structures’ Form (1A), available on our consent forms page.