CKS2020 - Protecting our taonga together
Research projects within the Cultural Keystone Species programme where Mana Whenua undertake the fundamental research required to inform their unique responsibilities as kaitiaki.
Case study: Wairua River Elver Monitoring
Over the last decade, Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) hapū collective Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKoNWM) have worked with Northpower, NIWA, Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, and other agencies to move juvenile eels over the Wairua Falls power station as they swim upstream as part of their life cycle.
To test the success of the trap and transfer programme, each March NKoNWM and NIWA look at how the elvers that are being moved are surviving. The annual two-week survey involves catching juvenile eels in streams connected to the Wairua River to assess their numbers and distribution.
Protecting our taonga together – Water & Atmosphere article - August 2021
2017 Wairua River Elver Monitoring Report Summary
2018 Wairua River Elver Monitoring Information Sheet
Northland hapū members join NIWA researchers combing a tributary of the Wairua River for juvenile tuna/eel. [Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King, NIWA]
Dr Erica Williams searches for tuna using an electric fishing wand. Tuna are temporarily stunned and returned unharmed after assessment. [Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King, NIWA]
Waterway in the Wairua catchment. [Photo: Stuart Mackay, NIWA]
Adult tuna caught for assessment in the 2018 survey. [Photo: Stuart Mackay, NIWA]
Each year dozens of elvers are monitored as part of ongoing research into tuna recruitment in the Wairua catchment. [Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King, NIWA]
Adult tuna caught for assessment in the 2018 survey. [Photo: Stuart Mackay, NIWA]
Assessing rock/stone size from the stream bed as part of environmental monitoring in the 2018 survey. [Photo: Stuart Mackay, NIWA]
Species other than tuna are also assessed in the monitoring. Koura being measured in the 2018 survey. [Photo: Stuart MacKay, NIWA]
