Anchovy | Kokowhawha
Banded Kōkopu
Basking Shark | Reremai
Big Belly Seahorse | Manaia
Blue Cod | Rāwaru
Blue Maomao
Broadnose Sevengill
Butterfish | Mararī/Kōeaea
Common Bully | Toitoi
Crested Weedfish
Goatfish | Āhuruhuru
Great White Shark | Mangō Taniwha
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Hagfish | Tuere
Hāpuku
Jono Ridler
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Kahawai
Kelpfish | Hiwihiwi
Kermadec Scaly Fin
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Kōaro
Lamprey | Piharau/kanakana
Leatherjacket | Kōkiri
Longfin Eel | Tuna kūwharuwharu
Northland Mudfish
Orange roughy
Porcupine fish | Kōpūtōtara
Red Moki | Nanua
Sandager’s Wrasse | Tāngahangaha
Scaly Gurnard
Short Tail Stingray - Whai
Shortjaw | Kōkopu
Smooth hammerhead | Mangōpare
Snapper | Tāmure
Southern Bluefin Tuna
Spectacled Triplefin | Ruanoho Whero
Spine-tailed Devil Ray - Whai Rahi
Spiny Dogfish | Koinga
Spotted Black Grouper
Spotted Stargazer | Pūwhara
Striped Marlin | Takeketonga
Sunfish | Rātāhuihui
Torrent Fish | Panoko
Trevally | Araara
Urchin clingfish
Whale Shark
Yellowtail Kingfish | Haku
Īnanga
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Countdown
Northland mudfish takes out Fish of the Year 2026!
In a stunning late-stage upset, the Northland mudfish has been crowned the Te Ika o Te Tau | Fish of the Year 2026. After trailing outside the top 10 at the halfway mark, this "secretive, sleepy" galaxiid surged into the lead in the final 24 hours, fueled by a pivotal endorsement from the Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) team and local supporters.
A record-breaking 5,896 New Zealanders cast their votes, proving that size isn't everything. At just 15cm, the mudfish is the first freshwater species and the smallest fish to ever win, overtaking heavyweights like the whale shark and longfin eel.
The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust hopes this "quirky critter" shines a light on our disappearing wetlands. With 90% of New Zealand's wetlands lost, this victory is a vital win for the visibility and protection of our native freshwater treasures.
Congratulations to our new national champion!
See the press release here for more.
