July 2026: A new series of policy briefs from Cawthron Institute and research partners is shining a light on how past decisions have shaped the way freshwater fish are managed in Aotearoa New Zealand today.

Freshwater fish are woven through New Zealand's history and identity, from eel (tuna) and whitebait, to trout and salmon. They have sustained whānau, supported cultural practices, underpinned recreational traditions, and helped shape local economies.

But according to Fish Futures researchers, the way freshwater fish are managed has not always reflected the importance of these species to communities and ecosystems.

Six recently published Fish Futures policy briefs examine the histories of freshwater fish management in Aotearoa New Zealand, exploring how past decisions have contributed to the challenges now facing freshwater ecosystems, fisheries, and the people who depend on them.

Cawthron Institute social scientist Kiely McFarlane says the briefs are designed to help decision-makers, kaitiaki, fishery managers, and communities understand how today's problems developed, and what might need to change. They were co-developed with cultural heritage specialist Ailsa Cain and geographer Marc Tadaki, providing a holistic understanding of New Zealand's environmental history.

Photo: Cawthron.

July 2026: New research from Motu Economic and Public Policy Research has found that workers in the industries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic were, perhaps surprisingly, slower to get vaccinated than those in less affected industries.

Researcher Richard Fabling found this pattern was not driven by the industries themselves, but by differences in the characteristics of the people working in them. Employees in less affected industries were generally more highly qualified and more likely to have previously received influenza vaccinations - two factors strongly associated with earlier Covid-19 vaccination.

The findings suggest these patterns may reflect differences in access to, and engagement with, the healthcare system rather than simply attitudes towards vaccination.

The research highlights an opportunity for employers to help improve vaccine uptake during future pandemics. Encouraging annual influenza vaccination through free or subsidised workplace programmes could help normalise vaccination and reach workers who are less connected to healthcare services. Fabling also suggests future pandemic responses should consider whether positive incentives and encouragement can achieve more than mandates and restrictions alone.

Photo: Julia Bogdanova, Unsplash.