Months of intensive restoration work has paid off for Hawke’s Bay whitebaiters, as stocks of the delicacy bounce back after a significant drop off due to weather events last year.
Baiters along Hawke’s Bay banks and waterways are celebrating the conservation projects that have contributed to an increased population of whitebait, as some had previously struggled to catch anything following destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.
Resident Dean Dawson told 1News it was a special time of year for his family, who had been fishing the same site on the Tukituki River for more than 50 years.
“[It is the] same spot mum and dad, my brothers my kids [go to]. It actually has a very strong wairua to it that’s connected to this place for us, so we love it.”
He said it was a “privilege to be back”.
“It’s great to be back that’s all I can say and having a fish, it’s more about being here than it is about catching whitebait. There’s a therapeutic nature to fishing and its wonderful — I love it.”
Local agencies had been working together for months, with the aim to restore conservation sites critical for maintaining wildlife and water species.
The waters surrounding Waitangi Park was a key focus area, as the point where freshwater and saltwater meets was a perfect spawning site for whitebait to safely and easily lay eggs in the vegetation during high tide.
Te Wai Mauri Trust helped to plant more than 7000 native plants, while Te Kaha Hawaikirangi said a rahui was in place to pause fishing and help restore the environment.
“There was a significant amount of debris, apple bins, all sorts of devastation in this area including the erosion of some of the bank areas which were really important for whitebait spawning,” said Bart Leslie, a park planner from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.
Whitebaiting was only allowed during whitebait fishing season from September 1 to October 30 (inclusive), with the exception of the Chatham Islands which has a separate season. During this time, whitebaiting is permitted from 6am to 9pm.
The Department of Conservation’s Matt Brady said there was no catch limit for whitebaiting season but population numbers were still fragile. “It’s like any game animal, take what you need, don’t take too much, take a feed, enjoy it,” Brady said.
