A species of native whitebait is flourishing again in the crystal clear Hamurana Springs near Rotorua - a year after a trout barrier was installed.
A local tribe, Ngati Rangiwewehi, worked with Fish & Game and other organisations to help koaro (whitebait) breed. Early monitoring shows the restoration plan is paying off.
Ngati Rangiwewehi koaro project manager Rikihana Hancock said trout have reduced water quality and disrupted the habitat of the whitebait.
He said trout are the main predator of the koaro.
Mr Hancock said tamariki and mokopuna have been involved in the work and have been learning about the koaro - which is a taonga of Te Arawa tribes.
