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The Environmental Protection Authority is offering up to 1000 science kits to groups that want better information about their waterways.
Engagement manager Paula Knaap says half the eDNA kits will be offered to iwi, hapū, whānau and kura.
The extension of the Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao – Open Waters Aotearoa science programme is thankful to an extra $150,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Unlocking Curious Minds programme
Since 2020, the EPA has funded 200 local groups, iwi and hapū to collect environmental DNA samples.
The samples capture remnants of DNA shed by creatures in the waterway so can reveal all the species present.
This can indicate the overall health of the ecosystem and draw attention to creatures that need to be protected, and those that are a threat.
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