Galaxiid Sanctuary
The Pomahaka Water Care Group have begun an ambitious project aimed at creating a galaxiid sanctuary on the outskirts of Tapanui
Pomahaka galaxias
The Pomahaka catchment is home to an endeimc population of native fish known as Pomahaka galaxias.
These fish are classified as Threatened-Nationally Vulnerable - which makes their status akin to New Zealand's blue duck/whio (appearing on our $10 notes).
Pomahaka galaxias live in streams and rivers throughout the Pomahaka catchment, feeding on small stream invertebrates such as mayfly and caddis fly larvae.
They are threatened primarily by predation from trout and other predators. They don't do well in high sediment-laden streams.
We're aiming to protect the fish found living in Patterson Road, on the outskirts of Tapanui.
Tagging fish
One of the actions we're undertaking at our galaxiid sanctuary is working alongside Otago Regional Council scientists and tagging fish. Tags are inserted just under the skin near the anal fin. Each tagged fish has a unique number, it is measured, and records are kept of its sex, and where it was captured.
We hope to learn more about the life cycle of these rare fish by finding out how long they live for, their distribution through the stream, how fast they grow, when they spawn and where. All of this information will help learn more about them and help us to find ways we can further protect them.
Finding eggs
Working with ORC scientists we've been busy over the spring of 2025, trying to learn more about the spawning habits of these galaxiids.
Some fun facts we've learnt - all thanks to our sanctuary:
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each female lays up to 600 eggs;
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the eggs we've found are underneath the banks, amongst vegetation where it's nice and moist;
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the eggs were laid between end of August to early October;
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the first larvae were found towards the end of October.
Community planting
We are very thankful to support from NZ Landcare Trust's Junior Landcare programme, which has given our galaxiid sanctuary a kick-start.
We held three planting days in 2025 where community members have pitched in to help plant natives at the sanctuary. We held another in 2026 and now have planted over 1,500 plants at the Sanctuary.
A photo of a galaxiid egg (Sept. 25)
The first galaxiid larvae observed (Oct. 25)
We invite community members to come and take a look at the wonderful community effort that's underway at this site, walk around the sanctuary, look at the plants growing and make a stop beside the creek you might even spot a galaxiid!
Planting with Tapanui Primary
Tapanui Primary came and helped plant around 150 plants in June 2025. They had previously decorated plant guards which they put around the newly planted plants to help protect them.
Tapanaui KidzWay also decorated some plant guards which were placed around some of the plants.
Tapanui Primary have been big supporters of the Sanctuary and have installed a special seat as part of their Matariki celebrations.
