The senior class at Whareama School has been diving deep into the world of īnanga (whitebait), learning all about the native fish population and taking steps towards protecting the population. In partnership with Mountains to Sea Wellington, the Wairarapa Catchment Collective, and Greater Wellington Regional Council, the ākonga (students) have embarked on a journey of discovery, hands-on science, and environmental restoration that connects classroom learning with the health of their local river.
Our first session kicked off with an introduction to īnanga—what they are? Where do they live? and how do they reproduce? Īnanga are one of five native whitebait species and have a fascinating lifecycle. Born in freshwater, the tiny larvae are swept out to sea, only to return months later to the river as juveniles, where they grow and eventually spawn. However, their survival depends on very specific spawning habitats—low-lying grassy banks near the river mouth that flood during spring tides.
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Equipped with new knowledge, the students headed down to the Whareama River. Although we didn’t spot any īnanga that day, we were lucky enough to have hīnaki full of eels (both longfin and speckled eels) and an abundance of Koaro. To support īnanga spawning, we installed artificial habitats made of hay bales and coconut husk mats, carefully placed to mimic their natural breeding grounds.
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One month later, we returned for our second session. This time, the focus was on the threats facing īnanga. Despite our hopes, no eggs were found on the mats. Instead, we discovered a high number of snails and spiders—predators of īnanga eggs. It was a real-world lesson in the delicate balance of ecosystems and the many pressures, from habitat loss to predation, that can affect species like īnanga.
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In our final session, the ākonga became the planners and problem-solvers. They brainstormed and developed a restoration plan for the Whareama River, focusing on actions that would improve conditions for īnanga spawning. Their ideas were thoughtful and ambitious: planting native grasses to stabilise banks and create better spawning habitat, removing rubbish from the riverbanks, reshaping the river’s edges to allow better flooding, and tackling pests that threaten eggs and young fish.
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The students presented their findings and proposed actions to the Tīnui Whareama Community Catchment Group. Back in July the school and the community came together to begin restoring a special area of the river they’re calling the “love zone”—the stretch of bank where īnanga come to spawn and begin their lifecycle anew. Together, they planted 300 native grasses and mānuka along the river banks before finishing the day with a BBQ.
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From learning about lifecycle science to taking real environmental action, the ākonga of Whareama School have become true guardians of their river. We’re so proud of their mahi and can’t wait to see how their work continues to ripple through the community—just like the īnanga returning home.
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