- Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand
- Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora School of Biological Sciences, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, PO Box 9267, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
- Ngāti Porou
- Kitson Consulting Limited, 162a Black Road, Invercargill, 9879, New Zealand
- Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha
- Taranaki Whānui
- Hokonui Rūnanga, PO Box 114, Gore 9740, New Zealand
- Ngāi Tahu, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Toarangatira
- Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora School of Biological Sciences, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Te Aro, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- New Zealand’s Biological Heritage Science Challenge – Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
- Waikato, Maniapoto, Ngāi te Rangi
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, PO Box 5114, Port Nelson, Nelson 7043, 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 Tane 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.