Tuna

There are three species of tuna (freshwater eels) found in Aotearoa – longfin, shortfin and Australian spotted longfin. Tuna are one of the most important mahinga kai species. They are known to Māori by over 100 different names depending on their location and appearance.

Longfin tuna are endemic to Aotearoa and are classified as at risk – declining due to the impact of wetland drainage and other environmental changes.

Several techniques are used to harvest tuna including the use of baited hīnaki.

Related resources

Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai video

• Tuna – featuring Iaean Cranwell harvesting and preparing tuna from Lake Wairewa

• Download a PDF of the video transcript here

Articles

• Longfin eels – Science Learning Hub

• Longfin eel – on a path to extinction? – Science Learning Hub

• Tuna – working with glass eels – Science Learning Hub

• Tuna – NIWA

Videos

• Eels – Science Learning Hub

• The life cycle of eels – Science Learning Hub

• Innovations – Iwi eel research – Science Learning Hub

Activity

• Saving taonga – Science Learning Hub