Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 14 April 2025
The fish are named after Gollum from J.R.R. Tolkein’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, due to their large eyes and preference for swampy habitat.
DOC River Ranger Pat Hoffmann says finding Gollums in the stream is exciting, and reinforces the need to protect their habitat.
“Gollum’s conservation status is Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable, the same as South Island takahē,” says Pat. “They’re unique to our region and only found in Southland, so if we lose them here, they’re gone from everywhere. You might even say they’re ‘precious’.
“In December, we were doing an eDNA (environmental DNA) survey of the Waimatuku catchment when we spotted the juvenile Gollums in many of the waterways. The eDNA backed this up with positive results at nearly every test site.”
Gollums stay in freshwater all their lives, and never enter the ocean. However, intriguingly, they are also found in streams on Rakiura/Stewart Island. It’s thought they got there during an ice age when a land bridge was present.
Waimatuku Stream recently became part of DOC’s nationwide Ngā Awa river restoration programme. Through Ngā Awa, DOC and Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima are working together with local councils and landowners to enhance freshwater species and ecosystems in the catchment.
“We’re now looking at ways to find out more about their populations and ensure they can thrive here,” says Pat. “If you live in the Waimatuku catchment and are interested in doing some restoration on your property, we’d love to hear from you to see how we can support your ideas.”
Visit DOC’s website to find out more about Gollum galaxias and how to protect them and other non-migratory galaxiids.
Background information
Finding Gollums isn’t the only recent highlight at the Waimatuku. DOC and Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka hosted a public information evening in March as an introduction to the Waimatuku Ngā Awa work programme.
The following day, 100 school students took part in a BioBlitz near the stream mouth, learning about the native plants, water quality, birdlife, and history, and recording their findings on the iNaturalist app.
Contact
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Email: media@doc.govt.nz
