Restoring mahika kai with tuna research
Otago youth are monitoring tuna (eel) as part of growing their knowledge as kaitiaki (guardians) of important natural food harvesting and wildlife sites.
Ōtākou
Restoring mahika kai with tuna research
Otago youth are monitoring tuna (eel) as part of growing their knowledge as kaitiaki (guardians) of important natural food harvesting and wildlife sites.
Ōtākou mana whenua (holders of land rights) are on the path to restoring knowledge that will strengthen their ability to uphold responsibilities as kaitiaki of their mahika kai - natural food harvesting and wildlife resources that they are securing for future generations.
Kāi Tahu rakatahi (youth) are working with Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau Sinclair Wetlands Trust to monitor and survey native longfin and shortfin tuna (eel), comparing modern and traditional tuna capture methods, in a project called Ka Hao te Rakatahi.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu gained ownership of Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau, a 315 hectare wetland between Waihola and Waipori south of Dunedin, with the 1997 settlement of its Treaty of Waitangi claim.
“We were given the area in compensation for a significant lake which was illegally drained for farming, the loss of an intergenerational food basket from the tribe,” says Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, a Trustee for Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau Sinclair Wetlands Trust and Ōtākou hapū member.
Restoring intergenerational knowledge
"Many families have lost that intergenerational memory of living in this environment, especially our traditional knowledge of mahika kai. That has been broken. It is about restoring that, looking once again to build our memory of our environment," Paulette explains.
"In the 20 years since the settlement there has been a focus on the restoration of the wetlands. It is timely now to address aspects of mahika kai, ensuring it is sustainable and that there is intergenerational succession."
Paulette says that her community is looking at the relationship they have with the environment and their knowledge of the tuna, so that they can become more aware of what is happening and become better-informed kaitiaki.
In their research, they are collecting data monthly on the length, weight and numbers of tuna. “Our rakatahi have learnt a lot of skills on how to handle tuna safely, how to set fyke nets correctly and general skills around water safety.”
Turning to traditional methods
The biggest challenge in the project has been making the traditional hīnaki, a basket-like pot set in the open water with bait to attract tuna.
“We started asking aunties, uncles and elders in the community but there was not much knowledge about making them,” Paulette recalls.
The intricate weaving of the harakeke (flax) and kareao (supplejack) netting is difficult to master. “We have learnt a lot and we really appreciate the level of skill that would have been required and developed over generations.”
The locals have also learnt 