Whitebaiting is an important part of the West Coast lifestyle and folklore and have an important place in Poutini Ngai Tahu custom and diet. They are also an important recreational and commercial resource.
The WCRC administers over 600 resource consents authorising the construction and maintenance of whitebait stands during the period 15 August to 30 November (ie, 15 days before and after the commencement and conclusion of the season respectively). Each stand owner must comply with all conditions of their resource consents, as well as relevant requirements of the West Coast Regional Council Policy on the Management of Whitebait Stands.
The Department of Conservation manages the fishery through the Whitebait Fishing (West Coast) Regulation and you can access this information at www.doc.govt.nz
Click one of the below links to download the WCRC Policy on the Management of Whitebait Stands in your prefered format:
WCRC Whitebait Policy.doc (DOC, 118KB)
WCRC Whitebait Policy.pdf (PDF, 63KB)
There are also application forms available to relocation or transfer ownership of an existing whitebait stand:
Click here to download the Application for Relocation of a Whitebait Stand (PDF, 181KB)
Click here to download the Application for Transfer of a Whitebait Stand (PDF, 185KB)