This study examines habitat preferences of juvenile Australasian snapper ( Chrysophrys auratus ) in northeastern New Zealand, analysing data from 113 stations across structured and unstructured habitats. We investigated how juvenile snapper densities were influenced by environmental factors, including prey availability and physical habitat features. Seagrass supported significantly higher snapper densities than all other habit...

Seagrass habitats are widely recognised as key nursery areas for juvenile fish, yet their specific role in supporting growth and condition remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the diet, growth and condition of juvenile (0+) snapper ( Chrysophrys auratus ) across multiple habitats in the Hauraki Gulf and northeastern New Zealand, with a focus on seagrass meadows. A total of 416 snapper were analysed for cond...

Estuaries are important recruitment sites for many fish species, with structurally‐complex habitats such as subtidal seagrass beds on soft sediments particularly valuable due to their provision of food and shelter. Soft sediments dominate most estuaries, but where hard‐bottom reefs are present they have the potential to act as nursery habitats for juvenile fish. We document recruitment of juvenile Australasian snapper ( Chryso...

Tarakihi ( Nemadactylus macropterus ) is a demersal fish that supports valuable commercial, recreational, and customary fisheries in New Zealand. However, little is known about its stock structure. The population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and demographic history of N. macropterus were investigated using the hypervariable region one of the mitochondrial control region. 370 samples from 14 locations around New Zealan...

Anecdotal data sources may constitute an important component of the information available about an exploited species, as record keeping may not have occurred until after exploitation began. Here, we aimed to fill any gaps in the exploitative history of the sparid snapper ( Pagrus auratus ), using social and historical research methods. Social research consisted of interviews with recreational fishers, focusing on the most and...

The Asian goby, Acentrogobius pflaumii (Bleeker, 1853), is reported from New Zealand waters for the first time. It was collected by beach seine in 2001–02 from muddy substrata in the upper reaches of the Waitemata and Whangapoua Harbours. We suggest that A. pflaumii has been introduced to New Zealand, probably in ship ballast water. It may have arrived directly from its native range in the north‐west Pacific Ocean, or indirect...