Rethinking freshwater translocation policy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand

There is growing interest in translocating freshwater fish and invertebrates for conservation and customary purposes. However, freshwater translocations in Aotearoa | New Zealand are complicated by limited access to scientific and technical guidance, fragmentary governance, and ongoing marginalisation of Indigenous rights and knowledge. In this paper, we review the past and present state of freshwater translocations in Aotearoa | New Zealand to identify key challenges for policy and practice. We reflect on two case studies: translocations of toitoi (common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus) and kākahi (freshwater mussel Echyridella spp.) at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne in the Wellington region, and an initiative led by Hokonui Rūnanga to captive breed and translocate kanakana (pouched lamprey Geotria australis) in Murihiku | Southland. Drawing from these experiences, we outline how policy, practice, and research could support more participatory and evidence-informed freshwater translocations.