The 2025 Environmental Perceptions Survey provides valuable insights into how New Zealanders view freshwater fish. Based on responses from 1,024 people, the survey found that around 8% had been freshwater fishing in the previous year and 30% had fished at some point in their lives. Compared with the wider population, people who fish were more likely to be male, Māori, and younger.
Fishers were generally more aware of the freshwater fish species found in their local area than non-fishers. However, both groups were most familiar with eel (tuna), whitebait, and trout, which are also the species most commonly targeted by fishers.
People’s views on how popular freshwater fishing is, and how much pressure fish populations are under, varied across the country. Overall, respondents agreed that freshwater fish populations are not as abundant as they should be, that people should be able to eat the fish they catch, and that freshwater fish are safe and healthy to eat.
Rather than favouring just one or two species, New Zealanders expressed a desire to see more of all freshwater fish species. These findings provide important insights into how people’s relationships with freshwater environments and fish are evolving and highlight opportunities to build stronger public support for freshwater stewardship and conservation.