Whaka Īnaka: Causing Whitebiat

The Whaka Īnaka: Causing Whitebait project, led by EOS Ecology, brought together science, iwi, and the Christchurch community to support and restore īnaka (whitebait) spawning habitats along the city’s rivers. In collaboration with the University of Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu, local councils, and various government departments, the project created temporary spawning sites using straw bales on the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote and Ōtākaro/Avon rivers. The team created ideal conditions for īnaka to spawn, ensuring the survival of an estimated 1.5 million eggs that would have otherwise been vulnerable. These efforts not only provided immediate habitat but also offered a foundation for long-term habitat restoration and policy recommendations.

Engaging the Community and Building Stewardship

Community engagement was at the heart of Whaka Īnaka, bringing together businesses, volunteers, local iwi, and over 400 volunteer hours to the project. The project invited Christchurch residents to actively participate in both installation and monitoring efforts, creating opportunities for learning and building a sense of stewardship toward their local awa. Through public updates, media engagement, and informative resources, we fostered a broader understanding of īnaka’s ecological importance and the community’s critical role in its conservation.

A key success of the project was its engagement with local schools. Through our development of an associated Pest Monitoring Module we were able to directly involve 1,800 students in the programme. The students not only monitored the activity of pests that predate on īnaka eggs, but also learnt about īnaka lifecycles, habitat needs, and threats. Working with our scientists, the students also helped with monthly egg counts, and we helped them to present their findings to city and regional council members. This advocacy highlighted the importance of “spawning-friendly” riverbank practices, aligning restoration with long-term community goals.

The “Hilton Hotels” for Īnaka: Straw Bale Success

The straw bales, affectionately dubbed “Hilton Hotels” for īnaka, provided ideal conditions for spawning, and their simplicity became a powerful outreach tool. As thousands of eggs nestled safely within the bales, community members gained firsthand insight into īnaka conservation. This accessible “wow” factor deepened local understanding and support for conservation, illustrated by resounding positive feedback from project volunteers and residents eager for long-term improvements.

The project’s success and popularity saw it recognized nationally, with Whaka Īnaka named a finalist at the 2017 NZ River Story Awards, underscoring the impact of this community-focused conservation approach uniting science with cultural and public outreach.

Inspiring Policy Change for Long-term Habitat Restoration

With an eye toward Christchurch’s ecological future, Whaka Īnaka’s outcomes continue to inspire ongoing engagement and policy evolution for permanent improvements to īnaka spawning habitats. EOS Ecology’s integration of science, community involvement, and education in Whaka Īnaka has created a model for conservation that brings people and policy together to care for a precious species, restoring the natural connections vital to the city’s waterways and mahinga kai values.