Freshwater Gold Clams

Help us to stop the spread of freshwater gold clams to our Te Arawa lakes

This freshwater mollusc, which is also known as Asian gold clam (Corbicula fluminea), was discovered along a stretch of the Waikato River in May 2023.

Biosecurity New Zealand is working with iwi and other partners to prevent the spread of the clam. In relation to the lakes in our district, that includes working with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Biosecurity rules are in place to stop the spread of the clam.

We all need to play our part

All boat users, both local and those from outside of the Rotorua district, particularly those from the Waikato region, have a role to play in ensuring that we prevent the spread of freshwater gold clams.

Make sure you know what you need to do

General information about freshwater gold clams and what you can do to help prevent the spread can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea) | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)

Information specific to efforts to keep freshwater gold clams out of our Te Arawa lakes can be found on the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme website where updates will be posted as needed.

Freshwater gold clam | Rotorua Lakes