Ngāti Manuhiri – Native fish conservation

Collaborating closely with Te Papa Atawhai, the Department of Conservation, our kaitiaki have engaged in a skill-enhancement project focused on spotlighting and safeguarding taonga species, particularly freshwater native fish, in the Hōteo catchment. As Māori, our profound connection to the land and water has always underscored our responsibilities as kaitiaki. Our rohe boasts a diverse array of freshwater environments and holds immense cultural significance for Ngāti Manuhiri. In light of this context, our partnership with Te Papa Atawhai becomes more crucial.

Spotlight spotfishing is a swift survey method tailored to streams, diverging from traditional methods by targeting nocturnally active fish such as the kōkopu species that thrive in pool and run habitats, along with a number of other species that prefer riffle habitats. A notable advantage of spotlight spotfishing lies in its efficacy in detecting species that prove elusive using daytime fishing methods. Deployed by two or more fish surveyors along designated stream sections, the method ensures a reach length typically ranging from 100 to 200 metres, covering a diverse sequence of pool, run and riffle habitats.

Our partnership with Te Papa Atawhai underscores the importance of collaboration between indigenous communities and governmental conservation agencies, illustrating the potential for joint efforts towards a common goal. As we advance, the knowledge acquired will not only benefit our local initiatives, but will also shape broader conservation strategies, inspiring similar partnerships throughout New Zealand.

This endeavour clearly embodies the principles of kaitiakitanga as we actively fulfil our role as kaitiaki of te taiao. By aligning with Te Papa Atawhai, we are not merely preserving our cultural heritage, but also forging an enduring legacy of environmental protection.

The integration of spotlight spotfishing into our conservation practices aims to collect comprehensive data on taonga species, facilitating the development of effective protection and management strategies. This method not only boosts our capacity to detect rare species, but also underscores our unwavering commitment to harmonising environmental conservation with the preservation of cultural heritage within our rohe.