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Fish of the year
Te Ika o Te Tau 2025
Experiencing Marine Reserves' annual Fish of the Year | Te Ika o Te Tau competition aims to raise awareness for some of the issues our awesome ika face and teach people about the incredible biodiversity in our freshwater and marine environments. Fish of the Year 2025 begins March 2025!
Are you ready to discover some of Aotearoa's favourite Ika?
Meet the ocean voyagers, the camoflaguers, the freshwater migrants and more!
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The Fish
Anchovies | Kokowhawha | Engraulis australis
Native | Least concern
Anchovies are a common fish around the North Island of New Zealand. They are found in large schools on the surface of fish between 8-12cm in length. They are a bright silver colour with an iridescent blue/green back, helping them to counter shade against the light in the ocean. They huddle together in tightly packed schools to escape predators, with many eyes keeping a look out for predators. Anchovies are an important food source for many fish including kahawai, mackerel and kingfish. These dense schools are also predated on by dolphins, seabirds and gannets - with large multispecies foraging associations forming around large schools of anchovies.
Image credit: John Sear (iNaturalist).
Anchovies are being backed by Waiheke Marine Project in 2025
Anchovies are a common fish around the North Island of New Zealand. They are found in large schools on the surface of fish between 8-12cm in length. They are a bright silver colour with an iridescent blue/green back, helping them to counter shade against the light in the ocean. They huddle together in tightly packed schools to escape predators, with many eyes keeping a look out for predators. Anchovies are an important food source for many fish including kahawai, mackerel and kingfish. These dense schools are also predated on by dolphins, seabirds and gannets - with large multispecies foraging associations forming around large schools of anchovies.
Image credit: John Sear (iNaturalist).
Anchovies are being backed by Waiheke Marine Project in 2025
Basking sharks | Reremai | Cetorhinus maximus
Native | Endangered (nationally vulnerable)
Once abundant in some waters around New Zealand, the basking shark, the second largest fish in the world, is now a rare species to spot. In the past, aggregations of hundreds of basking sharks could be found off the coast of Kaikoura and Bank's peninsula. Unlike their toothy cousins, these sharks are filter feeders, swimming through the water filter feeding zooplankton and crustaceans in the water column. They favour coastal reagions with high plankton abundance and productivity.
The major threats to basking sharks are directed fisheries and incidental bycatch in commercial and artisanal (traditional or small scale) fisheries. Basking sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm basking sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).
Basking sharks are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Once abundant in some waters around New Zealand, the basking shark, the second largest fish in the world, is now a rare species to spot. In the past, aggregations of hundreds of basking sharks could be found off the coast of Kaikoura and Bank's peninsula. Unlike their toothy cousins, these sharks are filter feeders, swimming through the water filter feeding zooplankton and crustaceans in the water column. They favour coastal reagions with high plankton abundance and productivity.
The major threats to basking sharks are directed fisheries and incidental bycatch in commercial and artisanal (traditional or small scale) fisheries. Basking sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm basking sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).
Basking sharks are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Manaia | Big-belly seahorse | Hippocampus abdominalis
Native | Vulnerable
Seahorses belong to the syngnathidae family, consisting of pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons! Big-bellied seahorses are the only seahorse species found around the New Zealand coastline and are one of the largest species in the world - growing up to 35cm! This seahorse is found among algae, seagrasses, and rocky reefs in shallow water and is attached to sponges and colonial hydroids in deeper areas. Seahorses are voracious feeders, eating mainly crustaceans, such as shrimp, and other small animals living among the seaweed, such as copepods and amphipods.
Male big bellied seahorses are super-dads, caring 300-700 young at a time in their pouch, caring for up to four broods in summer months.
Big-bellied seahorse are backed by Mountains to Sea Wellington in 2025
Seahorses belong to the syngnathidae family, consisting of pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons! Big-bellied seahorses are the only seahorse species found around the New Zealand coastline and are one of the largest species in the world - growing up to 35cm! This seahorse is found among algae, seagrasses, and rocky reefs in shallow water and is attached to sponges and colonial hydroids in deeper areas. Seahorses are voracious feeders, eating mainly crustaceans, such as shrimp, and other small animals living among the seaweed, such as copepods and amphipods.
Male big bellied seahorses are super-dads, caring 300-700 young at a time in their pouch, caring for up to four broods in summer months.
Big-bellied seahorse are backed by Mountains to Sea Wellington in 2025
Blobfish | Psychrolutes marcidus
Native | Not evaluated
Blobfish have become popular for their distinct appearance and its ability to live at great depths ranging from 600 to 1,200 metres. The pressure at this depth can be 60 to 120 times more than that at sea level, and they have evolved unique anatomy to cope.
They don’t have a swim bladder, full skeleton, muscles or scales. Instead, their bodies are made up of a blob-like substance with a density slightly lower than water allowing them to float above the seafloor. Their feeding strategy is also unique, as the blobfish will sit on the seafloor and wait for crustaceans, molluscs, and urchins to walk into their mouth.
Blobfish are found swimming off the coast of New Zealand, mainland Australia and Tasmania, where they grow slowly and could live up to 130 years. Female blobfish can lay 100,000 eggs in a single nest, usually in rocky areas on top of deep ocean platforms where the water is warmer. Ever watchful parents, they then hover over their eggs until they hatch.
Blobfish are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: NOAA/MBARI (similar species Psychrolutes phrictus)
Blobfish have become popular for their distinct appearance and its ability to live at great depths ranging from 600 to 1,200 metres. The pressure at this depth can be 60 to 120 times more than that at sea level, and they have evolved unique anatomy to cope.
They don’t have a swim bladder, full skeleton, muscles or scales. Instead, their bodies are made up of a blob-like substance with a density slightly lower than water allowing them to float above the seafloor. Their feeding strategy is also unique, as the blobfish will sit on the seafloor and wait for crustaceans, molluscs, and urchins to walk into their mouth.
Blobfish are found swimming off the coast of New Zealand, mainland Australia and Tasmania, where they grow slowly and could live up to 130 years. Female blobfish can lay 100,000 eggs in a single nest, usually in rocky areas on top of deep ocean platforms where the water is warmer. Ever watchful parents, they then hover over their eggs until they hatch.
Blobfish are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: NOAA/MBARI (similar species Psychrolutes phrictus)
Blue Cod | Rāwaru | Parapercis colias
Endemic | Least concern, decreasing
Blue cod are bottom-dwelling predators which are endemic to New Zealand and common in Southern wanters to depths of 150m. They eat crustaceans, small fish, kina, worms and shellfish. They change sex from female to male, with males generally larger than females, reaching lengths of 60cm. These males control a large territory which they actively maintain to keep free of males. These cod have thick lipped mouths with rotating eyes, they are inquisitive and often approach snorkelers and divers within marine protected areas. They are a blush green to blue-black with white towards the belly. Larger ones are usually greenish blue while smaller ones are blotchy with brown patches.
They have strong tips on their anal fins which provide support when they’re resting on the ocean floor.
Blue cod are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Blue cod are bottom-dwelling predators which are endemic to New Zealand and common in Southern wanters to depths of 150m. They eat crustaceans, small fish, kina, worms and shellfish. They change sex from female to male, with males generally larger than females, reaching lengths of 60cm. These males control a large territory which they actively maintain to keep free of males. These cod have thick lipped mouths with rotating eyes, they are inquisitive and often approach snorkelers and divers within marine protected areas. They are a blush green to blue-black with white towards the belly. Larger ones are usually greenish blue while smaller ones are blotchy with brown patches.
They have strong tips on their anal fins which provide support when they’re resting on the ocean floor.
Blue cod are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Blue maomao | Scorpis violaceus
Native | Not evaluated
Blue maomao are schooling fish that stay close to the shore and inhabit rocky reefs to depths of 30m. When young, Blue Maomao are not blue yet but they are grey with a yellow anal fin. As they grow bigger, they become more blue and their anal fin loses its yellow colour. The young fish are found in very shallow water behind boulders and in crevices in the wave zone, often in company of young Sweep that look very much alike.
The iconic blue mao mao arch at the Poor Knights is a must-see destination for any kiwi thanks to the large schools of blue mao mao that congregate there, creating a magnificently bright blue wonderland, as the light floods in. Safety in numbers is key. Blue mao mao move in schools to make it harder for predators to pick them off.
Blue maomao are being backed by Young Ocean Explorers in 2025!
Blue maomao are schooling fish that stay close to the shore and inhabit rocky reefs to depths of 30m. When young, Blue Maomao are not blue yet but they are grey with a yellow anal fin. As they grow bigger, they become more blue and their anal fin loses its yellow colour. The young fish are found in very shallow water behind boulders and in crevices in the wave zone, often in company of young Sweep that look very much alike.
The iconic blue mao mao arch at the Poor Knights is a must-see destination for any kiwi thanks to the large schools of blue mao mao that congregate there, creating a magnificently bright blue wonderland, as the light floods in. Safety in numbers is key. Blue mao mao move in schools to make it harder for predators to pick them off.
Blue maomao are being backed by Young Ocean Explorers in 2025!
Blue-eyed triplefin | Ruanoho | Notoclinops segmentatus
Endemic | Not evaluated
Triplefin fishes are the most abundant of New Zealand’s shallow-water subtidal reef fish. The blue-eyed triplefin is endemic to New Zealand and is easily recognisable by its iridescent blue eyes and red bands. It is a small ~6cm long fish which can be found in rocky reefs on steep slopes and overhangs from Cape Reinga to the Stewart Island! During breeding season, the males become brighter and set up nests in small depressions on rock faces. The males will often guard eggs from several females - super dad! There are 27 endemic species of triplefins in New Zealand! We are the triplefin capital of the world, with ~⅙ of all triplefin species being only found in New Zealand.
Blue eyed triplefin are being backed by Revive Our Gulf in 2025!
Image credit: Paul Caiger
Triplefin fishes are the most abundant of New Zealand’s shallow-water subtidal reef fish. The blue-eyed triplefin is endemic to New Zealand and is easily recognisable by its iridescent blue eyes and red bands. It is a small ~6cm long fish which can be found in rocky reefs on steep slopes and overhangs from Cape Reinga to the Stewart Island! During breeding season, the males become brighter and set up nests in small depressions on rock faces. The males will often guard eggs from several females - super dad! There are 27 endemic species of triplefins in New Zealand! We are the triplefin capital of the world, with ~⅙ of all triplefin species being only found in New Zealand.
Blue eyed triplefin are being backed by Revive Our Gulf in 2025!
Image credit: Paul Caiger
Butterfish | Mararī / Kōeaea | Odax Pullus
Endemic | Least concern
These kelp forest dwellers are found throughout New Zealand's rocky reefs and are endemic - only found in New Zealand. Butterfish are easily identified by their wavy mohawk of broad sweeping dorsal and anal fins which help them blend into the kelp around them. They are all born female, with the biggest and boldest females transitioning to become males and protect the harem and territory, existing in groups consisting of one male and several females. Females are brown-olive green whereas males are dark green to dark blue-black. Butterfish rely on healthy, balanced reefs with plenty of kelp, feeding mainly on brown algae like carpophyllum. As more of our rocky reefs decline in health and become kina barrens, butterfish habitats disappear. Butterfish are omnivorous, eating kelp and kelp-dwelling microorganisms. They are ~40 cm long, with males larger than females.
Butterfish
These kelp forest dwellers are found throughout New Zealand's rocky reefs and are endemic - only found in New Zealand. Butterfish are easily identified by their wavy mohawk of broad sweeping dorsal and anal fins which help them blend into the kelp around them. They are all born female, with the biggest and boldest females transitioning to become males and protect the harem and territory, existing in groups consisting of one male and several females. Females are brown-olive green whereas males are dark green to dark blue-black. Butterfish rely on healthy, balanced reefs with plenty of kelp, feeding mainly on brown algae like carpophyllum. As more of our rocky reefs decline in health and become kina barrens, butterfish habitats disappear. Butterfish are omnivorous, eating kelp and kelp-dwelling microorganisms. They are ~40 cm long, with males larger than females.
Butterfish
Canterbury Mudfish | Kōwaro | Neochanna burrowsius
Endemic | Critically Endangered (nationally critical)
The Canterbury mudfish, or kōwaro, are the most threatened mudfish species native to New Zealalnd and are listed as Threatened (Nationally Critical) under the NZ Threat Classification System. The kōwaro typically have 4 or 5 pelvic fin rays, while other galaxids are known to have 7.
This freshwater species is found in a number of waterways within the Canterbury Plains between the Ashley River and the Waitaki River. Kōwaro can be found in a range of habitats from small springs, wetlands, and willow bogs but also other modified habitats like water races, roadside drains and farm ponds. They are not well adapted to surviving periods of habitat desiccation and can be prone to drying out over the summer period.
Canterbury mudfish are able to reproduce in their first year and are as small as 55 mm long, but their reproductive rates peak above 100 mm where a female can produce 2000 eggs!
Kōwaro are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Department of Conservation (CC BY)
The Canterbury mudfish, or kōwaro, are the most threatened mudfish species native to New Zealalnd and are listed as Threatened (Nationally Critical) under the NZ Threat Classification System. The kōwaro typically have 4 or 5 pelvic fin rays, while other galaxids are known to have 7.
This freshwater species is found in a number of waterways within the Canterbury Plains between the Ashley River and the Waitaki River. Kōwaro can be found in a range of habitats from small springs, wetlands, and willow bogs but also other modified habitats like water races, roadside drains and farm ponds. They are not well adapted to surviving periods of habitat desiccation and can be prone to drying out over the summer period.
Canterbury mudfish are able to reproduce in their first year and are as small as 55 mm long, but their reproductive rates peak above 100 mm where a female can produce 2000 eggs!
Kōwaro are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Department of Conservation (CC BY)
Conger eel | Ngoiro | Conger verreauxi
Native | Least concern
Conger eel are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Luca Davenport-Thomas (CC BY-SA)
Conger eel are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Luca Davenport-Thomas (CC BY-SA)
Crested weedfish | Cristiceps aurantiacus
Native | Least concern
The Crested Weedfish is a skilled cryptic predator that is native to New Zealand and Southeast Australia. It is incredibly camouflaged to look, and move, like a blade of kelp. From here, it ambushes its prey and hides from its predators. They can grow up to 200 mm long, are found in stands of kelp from low water to depths of about 55 metres and vary in colour, camouflaging with their surroundings.
Check out this amazing documentary on the crested weedfish!
The Weedfish short doc can be found by clicking the image.
Crested weedfish are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Photo credit: Crispin Middleton (Seacology)
The Crested Weedfish is a skilled cryptic predator that is native to New Zealand and Southeast Australia. It is incredibly camouflaged to look, and move, like a blade of kelp. From here, it ambushes its prey and hides from its predators. They can grow up to 200 mm long, are found in stands of kelp from low water to depths of about 55 metres and vary in colour, camouflaging with their surroundings.
Check out this amazing documentary on the crested weedfish!
The Weedfish short doc can be found by clicking the image.
Crested weedfish are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Photo credit: Crispin Middleton (Seacology)
Flounder | Pātiki tōtara | Rhombosalea plebeia
Endemic | Not evaluated
Sand flounder are native to New Zealand and found throughout the country in estuaries and shallow coastal water. They have a distinctive diamond-shaped belly and both eyes on one side of their head! Larval flounder start their life with eyes on each side of its head, with one eye slowly moving to the right side, allowing it to swim flat and lie on the ground. Adult flounder are adapted to feed best at night on sand or mud. They are ambush predators, going unnoticed by camouflage and then attacking their prey when it comes near using both touch and vision. They eat a variety of bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, brittle stars, shrimps, worms, whitebait, shellfish and tiny fish.
Sand flounder are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Sand flounder are native to New Zealand and found throughout the country in estuaries and shallow coastal water. They have a distinctive diamond-shaped belly and both eyes on one side of their head! Larval flounder start their life with eyes on each side of its head, with one eye slowly moving to the right side, allowing it to swim flat and lie on the ground. Adult flounder are adapted to feed best at night on sand or mud. They are ambush predators, going unnoticed by camouflage and then attacking their prey when it comes near using both touch and vision. They eat a variety of bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, brittle stars, shrimps, worms, whitebait, shellfish and tiny fish.
Sand flounder are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Giant bully | Tīpokopoko | Gobiomorphus gobioides
Endemic | Least concern (naturally uncommon)
The giant bully is New Zealand’s largest member of the Eleotridae family, typically reaching 120–150 mm long, though specimens over 250 mm have been reported! They are also one of the seven freshwater bully species which are endemic to New Zealand. Their preferred habitat appears to be lowland rivers and streams with low elevations not far away from the sea or estuaries.
To identify the giant bully, the number of spines in the first dorsal fin are counted. Giant bullies will typically have six spines while common bullies will usually have seven. However, this method of identification can be tricky in the field as the spines may collapse when the fish is out of water.
Its life cycle is poorly understood, with a presumed marine larval phase, though juvenile giant bullies under 80 mm are rarely recorded or identified. Adults inhabit slow-flowing coastal habitats, rarely venturing far inland, and may spend extended periods in estuaries. Found throughout New Zealand, giant bullies are readily caught in fyke nets and traps, but their ecological role and requirements remain unstudied due to challenges in sampling their habitats.
Giant bully are being backed by Waiheke Resources Trust in 2025!
Image: Saryu Mae (CC-BY)
The giant bully is New Zealand’s largest member of the Eleotridae family, typically reaching 120–150 mm long, though specimens over 250 mm have been reported! They are also one of the seven freshwater bully species which are endemic to New Zealand. Their preferred habitat appears to be lowland rivers and streams with low elevations not far away from the sea or estuaries.
To identify the giant bully, the number of spines in the first dorsal fin are counted. Giant bullies will typically have six spines while common bullies will usually have seven. However, this method of identification can be tricky in the field as the spines may collapse when the fish is out of water.
Its life cycle is poorly understood, with a presumed marine larval phase, though juvenile giant bullies under 80 mm are rarely recorded or identified. Adults inhabit slow-flowing coastal habitats, rarely venturing far inland, and may spend extended periods in estuaries. Found throughout New Zealand, giant bullies are readily caught in fyke nets and traps, but their ecological role and requirements remain unstudied due to challenges in sampling their habitats.
Giant bully are being backed by Waiheke Resources Trust in 2025!
Image: Saryu Mae (CC-BY)
Goatfish | Āhuruhuru | Upeneichtys Lineatus
Native | Least concern
Goatfish are found in the Southwest Pacific, including New Zealand and Eastern Australia. They inhabit sheltered rocky reefs between depths of 5 to 60 metres. Goatfish often forage in small schools, using their feeler-like barbels beneath their chin to sense out their prey buried in the sand. Male goatfish will change colouration during the breeding season to a blue hue to appear more attractive to females. The males also establish territories during this time, fending off other males and focusing on courting females with their new colour display. Goatfish can also flash a brilliant red colour, thought to help parasites stand out to cleaner fish that can then assist with their removal.
Goatfish are being back by Sir Peter Blake MERC in 2025!
Goatfish are found in the Southwest Pacific, including New Zealand and Eastern Australia. They inhabit sheltered rocky reefs between depths of 5 to 60 metres. Goatfish often forage in small schools, using their feeler-like barbels beneath their chin to sense out their prey buried in the sand. Male goatfish will change colouration during the breeding season to a blue hue to appear more attractive to females. The males also establish territories during this time, fending off other males and focusing on courting females with their new colour display. Goatfish can also flash a brilliant red colour, thought to help parasites stand out to cleaner fish that can then assist with their removal.
Goatfish are being back by Sir Peter Blake MERC in 2025!
Great white shark | Mangō taniwha | Carcharodon carcharias
Native | Vulnerable (nationally endangered)
New Zealand is a global hotspot for white sharks, they are large and iconic marine predators which have been protected in New Zealand’s waters since April 2007. They are globally distributed and are long-distance migrants, making extensive return migrations along the continental shelves of the world’s oceans. White sharks are apex predators and play an important role in controlling populations of prey species. Males reach ~5.5m and females 7m, with their large size allowing them to feed on large prey such as marine mammals. A majoy threat to white sharks is unmanaged incidental catch and direct spot and trophy hunting. Indirect threats may also include the decline of important prey species due to overfishing, coastal productivity, habitat loss and pollution.
Great white sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm Great white sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).
Great white sharks are being backed by UoA Marine Science Society in 2025!
Image credit: Clinton Duffy
New Zealand is a global hotspot for white sharks, they are large and iconic marine predators which have been protected in New Zealand’s waters since April 2007. They are globally distributed and are long-distance migrants, making extensive return migrations along the continental shelves of the world’s oceans. White sharks are apex predators and play an important role in controlling populations of prey species. Males reach ~5.5m and females 7m, with their large size allowing them to feed on large prey such as marine mammals. A majoy threat to white sharks is unmanaged incidental catch and direct spot and trophy hunting. Indirect threats may also include the decline of important prey species due to overfishing, coastal productivity, habitat loss and pollution.
Great white sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm Great white sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).
Great white sharks are being backed by UoA Marine Science Society in 2025!
Image credit: Clinton Duffy
Hāpuku | Polyprion oxygeneios
Native | Not evaluated
Hāpuku are most often found in depths between 50 and 850 metres on deep, rocky offshore reefs. Hāpuku are predators, feeding on a large range of other fish species, invertebrates and crustaceans, including red cod and blue cod, hoki, crabs and crayfish. Hāpuku are a large, slow growing, long-lived species, they can grow as large as 100 kg, but are usually found around the 25 kg mark.
“Hapuku is a classic example of overfishing. Few people realise that in the early half of last century hapuku were a common reef fish on our shallow coastal reefs. Now they are considered a deep water fish as they are extinct in diving depths, particularly in northern New Zealand. We may never know what their ecological role was on shallow reefs. I believe their biomass is probably less than 5% of its pre-fished state, and their TAC (Total Allowable Catch) should be reduced to zero,” The late Dr Roger Grace.
Hāpuku are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Hāpuku are most often found in depths between 50 and 850 metres on deep, rocky offshore reefs. Hāpuku are predators, feeding on a large range of other fish species, invertebrates and crustaceans, including red cod and blue cod, hoki, crabs and crayfish. Hāpuku are a large, slow growing, long-lived species, they can grow as large as 100 kg, but are usually found around the 25 kg mark.
“Hapuku is a classic example of overfishing. Few people realise that in the early half of last century hapuku were a common reef fish on our shallow coastal reefs. Now they are considered a deep water fish as they are extinct in diving depths, particularly in northern New Zealand. We may never know what their ecological role was on shallow reefs. I believe their biomass is probably less than 5% of its pre-fished state, and their TAC (Total Allowable Catch) should be reduced to zero,” The late Dr Roger Grace.
Hāpuku are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Kelpfish | Hiwihiwi | Chironemus marmoratus
Native | Not evaluated
Hiwihiwi or kelpfish are a friendly fish which can be found around the North Island of New Zealand and southern Australia. They are often found in and around rocky reefs with macroalgae in shallow waters and often located in the intertidal or surge zone.
Hiwihiwi feed on species such as small molluscs, crabs and kina. Hiwihiwi can grow up to 40 cm long with the colour of its body having a mix of brown, grey, or pinkish blotches, while the head and body are covered with small white spots.
Hiwihiwi are a curious ika, and can often be found perched on a rock watching a snorkeller pass by! If you’re in the water and stay still enough they might even swim right up for a closer look!
Hiwihiwi are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Sophie Journee
Hiwihiwi or kelpfish are a friendly fish which can be found around the North Island of New Zealand and southern Australia. They are often found in and around rocky reefs with macroalgae in shallow waters and often located in the intertidal or surge zone.
Hiwihiwi feed on species such as small molluscs, crabs and kina. Hiwihiwi can grow up to 40 cm long with the colour of its body having a mix of brown, grey, or pinkish blotches, while the head and body are covered with small white spots.
Hiwihiwi are a curious ika, and can often be found perched on a rock watching a snorkeller pass by! If you’re in the water and stay still enough they might even swim right up for a closer look!
Hiwihiwi are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Sophie Journee
Īnanga | Galaxias maculatus
Native | Least concern (declining)
The smallest of the galaxiid (whitebait) species, inanga, are native to New Zealand and are found all throughout the country in lakes, lowland rivers, streams and wetlands. Inanga begin life as eggs laid in vegetation beside streams in late summer and autumn. When the eggs hatch, they are carried downstream as larvae and spend the next six months at sea. In the spring they migrate upstream as whitebait and grow into adult fish. This diadromous lifestyle means they are threatened by both marine and freshwater issues including loss of spawning habitat, pest fish predation and migration barriers such as weirs and culverts.
Īnanga are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
The smallest of the galaxiid (whitebait) species, inanga, are native to New Zealand and are found all throughout the country in lakes, lowland rivers, streams and wetlands. Inanga begin life as eggs laid in vegetation beside streams in late summer and autumn. When the eggs hatch, they are carried downstream as larvae and spend the next six months at sea. In the spring they migrate upstream as whitebait and grow into adult fish. This diadromous lifestyle means they are threatened by both marine and freshwater issues including loss of spawning habitat, pest fish predation and migration barriers such as weirs and culverts.
Īnanga are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
John Dory | Kuparu | Zeus faber
Native | Data deficient
John dory are a solitary predator that spend most of their life in the demersal zone (near the seabed). The John dory has a high laterally compressed olive-yellow body – its body is so thin it can hardly be seen from the front. The large eyes at the front of the head provide it with the binocular vision and depth perception it needs to catch prey. They have a dark false eye spot which confuses prey, which are then sucked into its mouth.The large spot in the middle of their body is believed to aid in scaring away would be predators by mimicking the appearance of an eye of a much larger fish.Their camouflage and stealth makes up for their lack of speed – once they have snuck up on their prey they engulf it with their large extendable mouths. John dory primarily eat smaller fish, especially schooling fish such as sardines and occasionally squid. They use muscles to drum on their swim bladder, making a low pitch grunting noise. They are 40-60cm long with long dorsal spines.
John dory are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
John dory are a solitary predator that spend most of their life in the demersal zone (near the seabed). The John dory has a high laterally compressed olive-yellow body – its body is so thin it can hardly be seen from the front. The large eyes at the front of the head provide it with the binocular vision and depth perception it needs to catch prey. They have a dark false eye spot which confuses prey, which are then sucked into its mouth.The large spot in the middle of their body is believed to aid in scaring away would be predators by mimicking the appearance of an eye of a much larger fish.Their camouflage and stealth makes up for their lack of speed – once they have snuck up on their prey they engulf it with their large extendable mouths. John dory primarily eat smaller fish, especially schooling fish such as sardines and occasionally squid. They use muscles to drum on their swim bladder, making a low pitch grunting noise. They are 40-60cm long with long dorsal spines.
John dory are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Kahawai | Arripis trutta
Native | Not evaluated
Kahawai are native to New Zealand’s shores where they are often found in the coastal areas, estuaries, bays, river mouths and harbours where they feed on smaller fish, crustaceans and plankton. Identifiable by their distinctive blue-green backs, silver bodies, and black spots make them easy to spot in the waters.
Adult kahawai can grow up to 40 - 50 cm long and spawn during the summer and autumn months where the eggs and larvae drift on the currents before the juveniles settle in estuarine areas. They are migratory fish which may swim long distances and congregating to form large schools off the beaches and exposed coastal areas.
Kahawai are an important species for our marine ecosystems, providing a key nutrient link in the food chain. Predators of kahawai include large marine predators such as seals, dolphins, sharks, and birds like the white-fronted tern.
Kahawai are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Luca Davenport-Thomas (CC BY-SA)
Kahawai are native to New Zealand’s shores where they are often found in the coastal areas, estuaries, bays, river mouths and harbours where they feed on smaller fish, crustaceans and plankton. Identifiable by their distinctive blue-green backs, silver bodies, and black spots make them easy to spot in the waters.
Adult kahawai can grow up to 40 - 50 cm long and spawn during the summer and autumn months where the eggs and larvae drift on the currents before the juveniles settle in estuarine areas. They are migratory fish which may swim long distances and congregating to form large schools off the beaches and exposed coastal areas.
Kahawai are an important species for our marine ecosystems, providing a key nutrient link in the food chain. Predators of kahawai include large marine predators such as seals, dolphins, sharks, and birds like the white-fronted tern.
Kahawai are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: Luca Davenport-Thomas (CC BY-SA)
Kōaro | Galaxias brevipinnis
Native | Least concern (declining)
A part of the whitebait collective, kōaro are known for their impressive climbing abilities and elongated tubular shape. They are a dull green/olive brown and have a broad head. Their increased pectoral and pelvic fin size distinguish them from other whitebait. Kōaro are distributed widely across New Zealand, however, many populations are increasingly at risk.
Kōaro are found in fast flowing waters, often much further inland than other galaxiids. They also prefer forested areas, but this makes loss of habitat through destruction of riparian vegetation a primary threat for this fish, often as a result of conversion to agricultural land.
Central North Island iwi, such as Te Arawa and Tūwharetoa, historically fished Kōaro from North Island lakes which is curious as unlike most other whitebait, they can complete their entire life cycle in a lake.
Kōaro are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: William Harland (CC BY)
A part of the whitebait collective, kōaro are known for their impressive climbing abilities and elongated tubular shape. They are a dull green/olive brown and have a broad head. Their increased pectoral and pelvic fin size distinguish them from other whitebait. Kōaro are distributed widely across New Zealand, however, many populations are increasingly at risk.
Kōaro are found in fast flowing waters, often much further inland than other galaxiids. They also prefer forested areas, but this makes loss of habitat through destruction of riparian vegetation a primary threat for this fish, often as a result of conversion to agricultural land.
Central North Island iwi, such as Te Arawa and Tūwharetoa, historically fished Kōaro from North Island lakes which is curious as unlike most other whitebait, they can complete their entire life cycle in a lake.
Kōaro are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: William Harland (CC BY)
Lamprey | Piharau/kanakana | Geotria australis
Native | Data deficient (nationally vulnerable)
Lampreys are ancient fishes which have existed for more than 360 million years. They are migratory fish, spending most of their lives at sea, moving to freshwater to spawn. Lampreys spend their juvenile life stages in freshwater and return to the sea for their adult life. While they can be mistaken for eels, they have a jawless mouth with a circular fleshy sucker lined with hundreds of small teeth and a rasping tongue. They have no fins near their head and have small holes which are the openings of their external gills. They hide during the day under logs and large rocks, venturing out at night to feed. Their populations are in decline due to habitat loss, reductions in water quality, predation from introduced dishes and instream structures blocking access from habitats upstream.
Image credit: Sjaan Bowie | Department of Conservation
Lamprey are being backed by NIWA Sceince in 2025!
Lampreys are ancient fishes which have existed for more than 360 million years. They are migratory fish, spending most of their lives at sea, moving to freshwater to spawn. Lampreys spend their juvenile life stages in freshwater and return to the sea for their adult life. While they can be mistaken for eels, they have a jawless mouth with a circular fleshy sucker lined with hundreds of small teeth and a rasping tongue. They have no fins near their head and have small holes which are the openings of their external gills. They hide during the day under logs and large rocks, venturing out at night to feed. Their populations are in decline due to habitat loss, reductions in water quality, predation from introduced dishes and instream structures blocking access from habitats upstream.
Image credit: Sjaan Bowie | Department of Conservation
Lamprey are being backed by NIWA Sceince in 2025!
Leatherjacket | Kokiri | Meuschenia scaber
Native | Least concern
Found around NZ leatherjackets inhabit rocky reefs, feeding on encrusting sponges and molluscs on rocks and zooplankton in the water column. Their rough leathery skin helps to protect them from predators, and their sharp teeth allow them to scrape prey off the rocks. Leatherjackets are from the triggerfish family, using their retractable spine (trigger) which they can use as an extra defence against predators. They reach maturity at 18 cm and feed on soft comb jellies and salps when juvenile. They are found at depths of 20-200m. They have strong and incredibly sharp teeth, which allow them to scrape prey off the rocks.
Leatherjacket are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Found around NZ leatherjackets inhabit rocky reefs, feeding on encrusting sponges and molluscs on rocks and zooplankton in the water column. Their rough leathery skin helps to protect them from predators, and their sharp teeth allow them to scrape prey off the rocks. Leatherjackets are from the triggerfish family, using their retractable spine (trigger) which they can use as an extra defence against predators. They reach maturity at 18 cm and feed on soft comb jellies and salps when juvenile. They are found at depths of 20-200m. They have strong and incredibly sharp teeth, which allow them to scrape prey off the rocks.
Leatherjacket are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Longfin eel | Tuna | Anguilla dieffenbachia
Endemic | Endangered (declining)
There are two main types of eels – the shortfin and the longfin. There are fewer eels today because of the loss of wetlands and historical commercial overfishing. They are migratory fishes starting their lives in the Pacific Ocean and travelling across the ocean back to New Zealand’s waterways to find suitable adult habitat in lakes and rivers where they live until they are ~25 years, they then undertake their migration back to the sea to spawn/breed and die. Long-finned eels are magnificent climbers, making their way well inland, climbing waterfalls and dams by leaving the water and wriggling over damp areas. In colour, longfins are usually dark brown to grey-black. Very occasionally, longfin eels found in the wild are partially or even wholly bright yellow in colour. They are easily mistaken for short-finned eels (Anguilla australis) which have a dorsal fin that extends only a little further than the anal fin. Longfin eels have a dorsal fin that extends a lot further forward than the anal (bottom) fin and have big loose wrinkles in their skin when bent.
Longfin eel are being backed by Matuku Link in 2025!
There are two main types of eels – the shortfin and the longfin. There are fewer eels today because of the loss of wetlands and historical commercial overfishing. They are migratory fishes starting their lives in the Pacific Ocean and travelling across the ocean back to New Zealand’s waterways to find suitable adult habitat in lakes and rivers where they live until they are ~25 years, they then undertake their migration back to the sea to spawn/breed and die. Long-finned eels are magnificent climbers, making their way well inland, climbing waterfalls and dams by leaving the water and wriggling over damp areas. In colour, longfins are usually dark brown to grey-black. Very occasionally, longfin eels found in the wild are partially or even wholly bright yellow in colour. They are easily mistaken for short-finned eels (Anguilla australis) which have a dorsal fin that extends only a little further than the anal fin. Longfin eels have a dorsal fin that extends a lot further forward than the anal (bottom) fin and have big loose wrinkles in their skin when bent.
Longfin eel are being backed by Matuku Link in 2025!
Orange roughy | Hoplostethus atlanticus
Native | Not evaluated
The orange roughy, also known as red roughy, slimehead, or deep sea perch, are vibrantly coloured fish that can vary in size. Off the coast of New Zealand, orange roughy range between 20-50 cm. Found at depths of up 1500 m these deep sea dwellers spend their time in the dark, relying on a lateral line organ to be able to sense their surroundings and prey.
Orange roughy can impressively live up to 200 years, but this seemingly death-defying quality also puts them at risk; they are slow to mature and therefore less resilient and fewer in number. It is because of this, that orange roughy populations are threatened by deep-trawl fisheries, the largest of which is in New Zealand.
Orange roughy are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: NOAA (CC SA)
The orange roughy, also known as red roughy, slimehead, or deep sea perch, are vibrantly coloured fish that can vary in size. Off the coast of New Zealand, orange roughy range between 20-50 cm. Found at depths of up 1500 m these deep sea dwellers spend their time in the dark, relying on a lateral line organ to be able to sense their surroundings and prey.
Orange roughy can impressively live up to 200 years, but this seemingly death-defying quality also puts them at risk; they are slow to mature and therefore less resilient and fewer in number. It is because of this, that orange roughy populations are threatened by deep-trawl fisheries, the largest of which is in New Zealand.
Orange roughy are still in need of Campaign Manager for Fish of the Year 2025! Could it be you?
Image: NOAA (CC SA)
Voting opens 1st March!
Te Ika o Te Tau | Fish of the Year 2024 Winner Announcement
Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) was stoked to run the fourth annual Fish of the Year | Te Ika o te Tau 2024 campaign.
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Pūteketeke? We'll take paketi thanks! Fish of the Year voting open
Experiencing Marine Reserve's annual Fish of the Year | Te Ika o te Tau competition aims to raise awareness for some of the issues our ika f
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Sponsorship in 2025
Thank you to our backers and sponsors for 2025! Want your logo here?
Contact us to sponsor a fish for Fish of the Year 2025!
Team Anchovy
Team Seahorse
Team Blue Maomao
Team Blue Eyed Triplefin
Team Goatfish
Team Lamprey
Team Giant Bully
Team Shortjaw Kōkopu
Team Great White
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Team Sandagers Wrasse
Team Tupere
Team Short tail Stingray
Team Tāmure
Team Devil Ray
Team Whale Shark
Team Kingfish
FOTY has been made possible through the generous contributions from the
Colouring in Competition
There are also prizes for the Fish of the Year colouring in competition, click the images to download a high resolution PDF. Which you can either print or colour in digitally.
Send us a photo of your colouring-in sheet to go in the draw to win some jaw-some Fish of the Year prizes!
Email competitions@emr.org.nz
Previous winners
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Terms and conditions
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Each email is able to cast 1 votes - with 3 nominees per vote. Additional votes will be voided.
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For each nomination, you may only select one fish. If you select more than one. That nomination will be voided.
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You may not nominate the same fish 3 times within one vote.
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The fish with the most votes will be declared the winner for 2025.
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