Te Kūwaha and Māori

The majority of New Zealanders are able to recall a story about catching eels when they were children.

NIWA is leading a new six-year research project that seeks to increase our understanding of piharau/kanakana/lamprey, using Mātauranga Māori, social science and biophysical science approaches.

The need to provide upstream passage facilities for ensuring the long term sustainability of migratory freshwater fish populations is now well recognised.

Tuna, or freshwater eels, are the most widespread freshwater fish in New Zealand. This 'living' educational resource summarises a large amount of scientific and technical literature.

Tuna harvested from Lake Ōmāpere and Utakura River catchment have long comprised an important fishery for tangata whenua.

Tuna is a generic Māori word for freshwater eels. The word will be used interchangeably in this resource.

In comparison to the vast span of geological time, the estuaries that we see today are very recent coastal features.

There are several ways to tell the three New Zealand eel species apart.

To prepare for changes in climate, our freshwater and oceans decision-makers need information on species vulnerability to climate change.

Freshwater eels have an unusual life cycle which sees them travelling between the ocean, estuaries and freshwaters.

Tuna are found in all sorts of habitats (places), including coastal estuaries, lakes, wetlands, rivers, mountain streams and even alpine tarns.

A number of individuals, organisations and hapū have contributed to the development of Ngā Waihotanga Iho.