Eels are remarkable creatures, they are the key native predator in our streams and their lifecycle is amazing. It involves changing from freshwater to saltwater environments and vice versa. Also journeys of 1000's of kilometres to the very depths of the Pacific Ocean. 

Kokopu are small native freshwater fish. Their numbers have dwindled greatly in recent decades. Three species are highlighted here, the banded, giant and shortjaw kokopu.

Lots of tiny water animals live on and under the rocks, on water plants or on bits of wood lying in the stream. These animals include insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms and leeches. Collectively these creatures are called macroinvertebrates – insects without backbones, which can be seen without the help of a magnifying glass or microscope.