At the end of last summer season, a group of anglers submitted to DOC (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Fishery Managers) their concerns, offering an alternative proposal instead of closing the lake during peak summer fishing every February. Their submission was supported by a freshwater biologist’s report. Now that the summer fishing has started and the same anglers have returned, they have asked in anticipation if there has been any response from DOC or any changes. From DOC’s newsletters, we have not noticed any acknowledgement. It appears the anglers pleas have been ignored. We understand the submission was signed by over 60 Lake O anglers, so it deserves more respect.
TRM provided them with the following research from DOC’s newsletter for October:
Further research at Lake Otamangakau.
As part of our ongoing work at Lake Otamangakau we have initiated a pilot for a technical programme that follows on from the catch-and-release study. In this case we are looking to gather specific information about the number of times trout survive catch-and-release at this iconic fishery.
A small number of trout were tagged this winter as part of a pilot study to test the tags ahead of a proposed full study next year. Anglers are asked to keep an eye out for these trout over summer and report any tagged fish caught. Please leave tags in the fish as identifying them is critical to the study. Some of these fish will show up again at our fish trap over winter, so this pilot will also provide information regarding growth and return timing.
The main study is due to start next winter, where approximately 200 browns and 200 rainbows will be tagged and released at the Te Whaiau Stream fish trap. Each of these trout will be fitted with a small silver metal ‘monel tag’ on the dorsal fin – see photo above. Each tag has a unique 4-digit number on it.
Only trout larger than 550mm will be tagged – regulations specify these trout must be released. Anglers will be asked to report the 4-digit code to the Taupo Fishery Team, along with basic catch details (species, sex, date, time, and a photo if possible). Anglers who provide data will have a chance to win a free licence.
These trout will be tagged during June and July 2026 and will be accessible to anglers during the 2026/27 fishing season.
This lack of response to the anglers’ submission takes us back to a previous TRM report dated 14 June 2025… below:
Anglers have had enough! It is time to act…
TRM (Tongariro River Motel) is essentially a friendly little family owned and operated motel that has been catering for trout fishos on the Tongariro River for over 65 years. It may be obsolete (like the owners?) – past its ‘used-by’ date, unpretentious, with the only frills being many little features catering for fresh water anglers. These include a commercial smokehouse for inmates’ use, rafts and gear for fishing local freshwater lakes, heaps of extras like rod hooks in all units, a vast library of fishing books and magazines, waders, rods, knives, fly tying gear, etc. for guests’ use, Tongariro River maps (50 pools to fly fish before you die) through to free fish bags.
The most important of these is arguably the daily fishing blog that has been spreading the gospel for over 20 years, long before Facebook, etc. were invented. OK. The scope of subjects has now expanded beyond promoting trout fishing by attracting tourists to Turangi, to many other entertaining stories that we judged to be of “human interest” or tourist-related. We usually avoid any political issues but now we feel obliged to speak out on behalf of our inmates. (Indeed, this matter was brought to our attention by anglers referring to a newsletter from Hobson’s Pledge.)
Most TRM inmates are trout anglers who have been staying here regularly for many years. i.e. We have an Australian angler staying now who we inherited when the motel was acquired in 2004. Anglers are our priority target market, and we often represent their concerns on our blog. i.e. The last major concern has been changing fishing regulations at Lake Otamangakau. With such issues it does not matter what we personally care about, as we are directly reflecting the opinions of our guests. When none of them agree with the new regulations, we complain.
Other similar issues posted on TRM Facebook have been the intention to farm trout at Lake Rotoaira (for which we received death threats!), carp farms in Taupo, ignorance of the conditions of the Tongariro Hydro Power scheme guaranteeing trout fishing access on the Tongariro River, the ridiculous licence situation where Taupo has a seperate licence from the rest of NZ, signage wars (see below) with Toe paw council. When TRM post any controversial issues, we automatically get offside with Government Departments (i.e. DOC are the manager of the Taupo fishery) or local councils. This is unfortunate. It is not personal, but we are obliged to speak out on wider issues to support our fishy inmates. That is the reason for our blogs.
So you can see where this is heading – into another controversial scrap which is more heated as it involves sensitive racist stuff. Some may regard this as racist criticism but it is too important to ignore. Apathy is inexcusable. TRM blogs now penetrate far wider than just our original guest list. In the opinion of TRM’s supporters, race and religion have no place in New Zealand’s freshwater policy. That should be obvious to everyone. It is an important matter, but when we compose a blog read by many supporters, we realise we are in danger of becoming “influencers”, so we have to take it more seriously. To indicate the level of readership support, the response to a blog posted on 5 June is added below.
Freshwater management decisions should be based on sound science, environmental needs, and community priorities, not on racist or spiritual concepts like Te Mana o te Wai.
It is time to ensure that every New Zealander, regardless of their ethnicity or beliefs, has an equal stake in the management of our precious freshwater resources.
Any issues of “race” and “spirituality” must be removed from the laws and policies relating to anglers most vital resource – water.
Water management should be a matter for all New Zealanders, not just specific racist or religious groups. The current framework introduces disparities where some communities have greater influence or control over freshwater resources based on their identity, not their environmental impact or need. That is ridiculous.
Dividing policies based on race and religion fosters division and resentment. Freshwater policies should unite all of us, working towards the common goal of sustainable water management, without creating inequity based on who we are or where we come from.
Decisions about freshwater management must be based on science and evidence, not identity-based frameworks. Our primary focus should be the health of our waterways and the needs of communities that rely on them for livelihoods, not policies driven by race or religion.
All communities or groups with a common interest relying on astute freshwater management, regardless of background, should have the right to be heard in freshwater management discussions. Trout fishermen are generally more sensitive about ecological issues than most. Policies should be inclusive, fair, and focused on what is best for the environment and all New Zealanders, not influenced by race or religious considerations.
What Needs to Change?
Tell the Government there is no place for race and spirituality in freshwater management, by:
- Removing Racist and Religious Provisions: Freshwater policy must be based on equal treatment for all citizens, without special privileges or restrictions based on ethnicity, race, or religion.
- Returning to Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Let scientific evidence and the well-being of our natural resources guide freshwater policies, rather than divisive identity politics.
- Fair Representation for All: Ensure that every New Zealander—regardless of race or religion—has an equal voice in decision-making processes regarding freshwater management.
- A TRM blog on 5 June attracted the following support:
- Views37,115
- Reach25,833
- Interactions162
After nine months, by continuing to ignore anglers’ concerns with the Lake O issues mentioned above, the fishery managers are upsetting many more than just their Taupo licence holders. Anglers have reminded us it is time they showed more responsibility and publicly responded.
