Greater Wellington – A fish ladder for Hull’s Creek

Greater Wellington – A fish ladder for Hull’s Creek

Giant Kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) Photograph by R.M. McDowall

inanga (Galaxias maculatus)

The Silverstream care group is a busy one. For over five years now it’s been working hard to restore the stream, create a native bird corridor, reduce erosion and create a walkway linking Silverstream to the Hutt River trail.

Since 2003 a total of 6,532 trees have been planted, willows removed, weeds controlled, and plans drawn up to construct a fish ladder, also called a fish pass. All this work is not for the faint-hearted – to begin with you need volunteers, funding and lots of planning.

Greater Wellington’s Team Leader Policy Development Murray McLea says one of the important things we know is the survival of many of our native fish depends on their migration between the sea and freshwater. “Creating a fish ladder over a weir will help native fish like the inanga (whitebait) and the giant kokopu jump the barrier. Weather permitting we hope to complete the fish ladder by late September.”

Barry Wards, convenor of the Silverstream care group says the Hull’s Creek Open Day on Saturday 11 August is celebrating the work, vision and enthusiasm of the group and the wider community. “Without funding from the Ministry for the Environment and Take Care funding from Greater Wellington the group would not have been able to restore Hulls Creek to what it is today.”

“We would like to welcome existing members and members of the public to the Open Day. The day will start with morning tea at 9.30 am, and include a talk by Dr Mike Joy, guided tours and unveiling of a sign. The day’s activities will finish at approximately 12.30 pm.”