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Kanakana

Kanakana (Geotria australis) in a black bucket.

Kanakana (Geotria australis) are an ancient and unusual species. They look a little like tuna but are jawless, instead using a sucker-like mouth to attach to and parasitise fish and whales.

Commonly known as piharau in the North Island, kanakana are harvested using a variety of methods. These include:

  • harvesting by hand

  • using poles and rapu – sticks with hooks at the end

  • using hīnaki nets

  • pā kanakana – wooden weirs

  • whakaparu piharau – stone weirs

  • paipai – barriers made with small branches or a mat made of bracken.

Whakataukī

Ka kitea a Matariki, ka rere te korokoro (When Matariki is seen, the lamprey migrate) Keane (2010)

He manawa piharau (to have great stamina or endurance) From Taranaki

Related resources

Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai video

  • Kanakana – featuring the Blair whānau from Murihiku

  • Download a PDF of the video transcript here

Articles

Rights: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Published:31 August 2022Size: 3.69 MB