Promising progress has been made in protecting koaro, a native freshwater whitebait species, in Hamurana Springs after a trout barrier was installed last year.
Koaro were once abundant in the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes but numbers have declined because of the introduction of trout, reduced water quality and habitat disruption.
A collaborative effort between Ngati Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Fish & Game, Department of Conservation, NIWA and the Hamurana Springs Incorporated Society has lead to a restoration plan to prevent further decline.
Rikihana Hancock from Ngati Rangiwewehi said an initial study undertaken by Te Arawa Lakes Trust in conjunction with NIWA on koaro numbers and locations in the Rotorua lakes district was integral in the project's development.
"A population of koaro was discovered on the Waitarere tributary of Hamurana Springs in the initial study.