Catadromous Eels of New Zealand
There has not been much written about the rich relationship between the Maori and the eel. Eel stories are oftentimes passed on orally between Maori (there is reluctance to share stories with pakeha, or white people) and rarely recorded (taped or written). If I had not been traveling with a Maori (Stella August, who had just finished her master's thesis on eels at Waikato University, specifically glass eel migration on her tribal river, the Tukituki), then many of the Maori elders would not have met with me or shared their stories.
Stella August feeding eels in North Island.
Stella's father in an old photo with an eel he speared.
Bill Kerrison with a longfin and shortfin eel on his wall.
Camping with DJ, a Maori bush guide.
Splayed eel hanging to dry.
Kelly Davis in the South Island with a big eel.
Eel fisher on birdlings flat, South Island.