Four of six whitebait species are threatened or at risk of extinction. Yet Forest and Bird says the government's latest moves to protect the fish are wholly inadequate.
Minister for Conservation Ayesha Verrall has announced some changes, including a reduced whitebait season starting next year.
But the environmental group say the moves are little more than "fluff around the edges".
Forest and Bird freshwater advocate Annabeth Cohen spoke to Philippa Tolley.
