The Whitebait Connection was founded in Northland by Stefan Seitzer and Vince Kerr in 2002. The programme has been run under the umbrella of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust from the start. From small beginnings the programme spread from the Northland area with the support of the Department of Conservation. Today the WBC is widespread throughout the 3 Northland districts, Far North, Kaipara, and Whangarei and manages He Kakano Community Nursery in Whangarei and is actively involved in the Waitaua Catchment Restoration Network.