The most common animal species you’ll find in the lakes of Wairarapa Moana aren’t actually any of the species mentioned above. You’re much more likely to encounter introduced fish such as brown trout, perch, rudd and even goldfish. Brought to New Zealand by European settlers for food or sport, these fish prey on our native species or compete with them for food.

The lakes are also home to many aquatic weeds. Species such as hornwort, lagarosiphon, elodea and curled pondweed clog waterways and crowd out native species.

The way we use our land has changed massively in New Zealand, including around Wairarapa Moana. Once surrounded by lush forest and swamp land, Wairarapa Moana used to swell as far as Greytown when in flood.  Now, much of the surrounding area has been drained and converted to farmland and urban areas. This has led to fewer native plant and animal species on land as well as increases in nutrients and sediment in the waterways which leach into the wetlands.

As well as run-off from farm land, the wetlands also receive stormwater and sewage from our Wairarapa towns, which all drain into the lakes. These carry nutrients, sediment and other pollutants.

How you can help:

Many of our native fish are threatened or their numbers are declining. They need all of the help they can get. You can help by:

• Leaving them alone - don’t catch them

• Planting trees along stream banks to create shade and cover, and helping out with wetland restoration. Join one of the many groups involved in this work

• Save the drains for rain - gutters on the street drain directly into streams and rivers, so be careful about what goes in these

• Keep stock out of waterways to protect water quality and the habitat along stream banks

• Reestablishing fish passage to the sea. Many of our fish need to migrate, but often things like dams and pipes make that really difficult

• Check, clean and dry your fishing rods, gumboots, waders and other gear you’ve been in the water with before taking it anywhere else. This will prevent any aquatic weeds from hitching a ride to a new home.

• Our staff and community members are out and about in Wairarapa Moana regularly controlling plant and animal pests

• We work with farmers to fence off and control weeds in wetlands and other areas of high biodiversity value