Greater Wellington — Providing fish passage

Have you ever thought about what could be swimming in your local stream? New Zealand is home to more than 50 native freshwater fish species. Of these, around 70% are threatened or at risk of extinction.

The Wellington region is home to at least 20 species of native fish, which makes our region one of the most diverse for freshwater fish in New Zealand. Many of these fish need to migrate between freshwater rivers and streams and the sea to complete their life-cycle. Tuna (eels) and Inanga (whitebait) are well-known examples of native fish that need unimpeded "fish passage" to survive and reproduce.

Find out how you can help at-risk native fish species

Barriers to fish passage

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Assessing instream structure for fish passage

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One of the key steps we need to take before we can begin to improve passage for our native fish is to locate instream structures and assess whether they pose a barrier to fish passage. In order to do this, we walk the length of a waterway and use the NZ Fish Passage Assessment Tool App to record information on any structures and assess whether they are a fish passage barrier.

Remediation tactics

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How a fish passage barrier is fixed will depend on the species present, and what ability they have to move through the waterway. It will also need to be site-specific to ensure the solution will work in that location.

Ideally, structures that are fish passage barriers should be removed if the structure is no longer required. Where this isn't possible there are a number of potential options for remediating existing structures.

The New Zealand Fish Passage Guidelines for structures up to 4 metres is an excellent resource which sets out recommended practise for the design of instream infrastructure to provide fish passage.

Our obligations

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We all have a responsibility to protect the passage of our native freshwater fish when we own and/or manage instream structures. Greater Wellington's Proposed Natural Resources Plan (PNRP), the National Policy Statement Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F) all contain requirements to improve fish passage management in our region's waterways.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) also has responsibility for enforcing the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations, so any culverts, fords, dams or diversion structures may need approval from DOC. For more information on fish passage authorisations under the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations please visit the DOC website.

How can you help?

Keeping informed is one of the best things you can do to help. For more information, please head to the DOC Fish Passage Management information hub.

It is important to ensure any new structures allow for fish passage.

The NES-F came into effect on 3 September 2020, and includes specific regulations for structures which may affect fish passage.

General information for any activity which involves the placement, alteration, extension, or reconstruction of any of the following structures in, on, over, or under the bed of any river or connected area must be provided to Greater Wellington within 20 working days of the structure’s completion. Structures include:

Culverts
Weirs
Flap gates (whether passive or non-passive)
Dams
Fords
Aprons
Ramps

Regulations 62-68 of the NES-F specifies the general information requirements for these structures; this includes providing the same passage of fish upstream and downstream as would have existing without the structure, and certain design standards.

If the activity cannot comply with the permitted regulations (regs. 70-74), a resource consent will be required as a discretionary (culverts and weirs) or non-complying activity (passive flap gates). Monitoring and maintenance conditions shall be imposed on these resource consent decisions (in accordance with regs. 71 and 73).

Information can be supplied to Greater Wellington through the NZ Fish Passage Assessment Tool (referencing the record number). If you are unable to use this app, the following form can be used:

Fish Passage Information Requirements

Under the Resource Management National Environmental Standards for Freshwater Regulations 2020 (NESF) a written notice is required to undertake permitted and consented activities relating to structures that affect fish passage.… Read more here

Published 17 Jun 2022

Download now (PDF 1.7 MB)

The NES-F fish passage regulations do not apply to structures that were installed prior to 3 September 2020 or customary weirs used for the purposes of practising tikanga Māori, including customary fishing practices.

If you have an existing structure that may require fish passage remediation or are seeking to install a new instream structure to allow for fish passage a resource consent may be required.

You can also contact us for fish passage advice or if you would like to notify us of instream structures on your property.

More information

The Department of Conservation Fish Passage Management information hub

The NZ fish passage assessment tool and map

Ministry for the Environment Fish Passage fact sheet

Fish passage in the Wellington Region

New Zealand is home to more than 50 native freshwater fish species. Of these, around 70% are at risk of, or threatened by, extinction.

In the Wellington region, our waterways are… Read more here

Published 24 Jun 2021

Download now (PDF 1.7 MB)

Updated January 12, 2023 at 1:40 PM

Get in touch

Phone:: 0800496734
Email:: info@gw.govt.nz