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Story: West Coast region

Whitebait stands, Ōkuru estuary

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Whitebait stands, Ōkuru estuary

These whitebait stands are on the Ōkuru estuary in South Westland, with the Southern Alps in the background. Each stand is licensed and registered. Ropes and pulleys raise the structures above floods, which can damage them. During the whitebait season this area comes alive, as whitebaiters wait with their nets in the hope of a good catch.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10054040

by Philippe Gerbeaux

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How to cite this page

Simon Nathan, West Coast region – Forestry and fishing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/21038/whitebait-stands-okuru-estuary (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Simon Nathan, published 3 March 2009, updated 1 September 2016.