Episode Structure

Restoring the Lamprey's Journey: Kanakana Conservation and Cultural Revival

"Follow the groundbreaking efforts to restore New Zealand's native lamprey populations through captive breeding and community partnerships. This episode explores how traditional knowledge and modern conservation science are combining to bring kanakana back to waterways where they once thrived."

Note: Sections marked as [To be filled] will be completed once more specific information about the breeding programme, research findings, and partnership details are available.

Contributing Experts:

• Jane Kitson - Researcher, company director (Kitson Consulting Ltd)

• Riki Parata - Hokonui Rūnanga, Kanakana breeding programme coordinator

• Jim Geddes - Māruwai Centre

References: [To be added based on available research]

Introduction:

Journey to Restoration

Setting the Scene:

• Jamie (series presenter) traveling to the Kapiti Coast, meeting with North Island iwi representatives

• Shots of coastal streams and estuaries where kanakana once migrated in abundance

• Jamie learning about the cultural significance and childhood memories of kanakana from local kaumātua

Context Setting:

• Voice-over explaining kanakana's unique lifecycle - from marine larvae to freshwater adults

• The Ocean Connection: How kanakana mix in the ocean regardless of their river of origin, making nationwide repopulation possible from any breeding source

• Historical abundance: stories of kanakana runs so thick you could walk across them

• Current reality: massive population decline, barriers to migration, cultural knowledge at risk

• Jamie's reflection: "Today we're following an inspiring journey of restoration - where ancient knowledge meets cutting-edge conservation"

The Journey Begins:

• Jamie traveling south to Southland, crossing landscapes that kanakana once traversed

• Arrival at Hokonui Rūnanga facilities and the modified falls

• Journey through the derelict papermill infrastructure that changed the river forever

• First glimpse of the captive breeding programme and preparation for the annual capture night

Act 1:

Memory & Loss (Cultural Connections)

Opening: Stories from the North

• Childhood Memories: North Island iwi sharing stories of abundant kanakana runs

• Cultural Significance: The role of kanakana in traditional kai gathering and cultural practices

• Living Memory: Kaumātua recounting when rivers ran silver with migrating lamprey

The Decline Story

• Barriers to Migration: How dams, weirs, and other structures blocked ancient pathways

• Habitat Loss: Stream modification and water quality impacts

• Knowledge Erosion: Traditional harvesting practices and ecological knowledge being lost as populations disappeared

The Vision Emerges

• North Island Dreams: Community aspirations to restore kanakana to their traditional waters

• The Connection: How northern communities connected with Hokonui Rūnanga's pioneering work

• Shared Purpose: Recognition that restoration requires both traditional knowledge and scientific innovation

• Ocean Unity: Understanding that kanakana from any source can repopulate waters nationwide due to their ocean mixing lifecycle

Interview Questions for Act 1:

• North Island Kaumātua: "What are your memories of kanakana in these waters? What did they mean to your community?"

• Community Representative: "Why is restoring kanakana important for your iwi's cultural wellbeing?"

• Local Historian: "How did the loss of kanakana affect traditional practices and knowledge?"

Act 2:

Innovation & Discovery (The Hokonui Story)

Hokonui Rūnanga's Vision

• Tino Rangatiratanga: "Creating and controlling our own destiny, for us and our children after us"

• He Manawa Kanakana: "Strong and enduring like a lamprey heart" - the symbolism behind their work

• Pioneering Spirit: Being the first to attempt kanakana captive breeding in New Zealand

The Breeding Programme

• Wild Capture: Annual nighttime captures at the modified falls near Hokonui Rūnanga facilities

• The Falls Story: Journey through old papermill facilities to understand how industrial modification blocked traditional migration routes

• Capture Night: The dramatic annual event when kanakana attempt to climb the impassable rocks and falls

• From Wild to Captive: How captured kanakana become the foundation for the breeding programme

• Traditional Knowledge Integration: How mātauranga Māori informs the conservation approach

• Facility Tour: Behind-the-scenes look at the breeding tanks and research setup

Research and Learning

• Lifecycle Mysteries: What the programme is revealing about kanakana biology

• Historical Evidence: Museum visits and archival photos showing the abundance of kanakana in historical times

• Visual Documentation: Old images that capture the scale of past kanakana runs and traditional harvesting

• Adaptive Management: Learning by doing, adjusting methods based on results

Overcoming Barriers

• Physical Obstacles: The papermill legacy - how industrial development created permanent barriers to migration

• Annual Drama: The brief window when kanakana still attempt their ancestral journey, now ending at impassable falls

• Capture as Conservation: How collecting stranded kanakana becomes both rescue and research opportunity

• Funding and Support: Building partnerships to sustain the programme

• Knowledge Gaps: Filling scientific gaps while respecting traditional knowledge

Interview Questions for Act 2:

• Riki Parata: "What inspired Hokonui Rūnanga to take on this pioneering breeding programme?", "What are the key scientific challenges in kanakana conservation?"

• Breeding Programme Staff: "What have you learned about kanakana through the captive breeding work?"

• Capture Team Member: "What's it like during capture night? How do you find and catch kanakana in the dark?"

• Local Historian/Mill Worker: "How did the papermill modifications change the river? What was lost?"

• Rūnanga Leader: "How does this programme align with your vision of tino rangatiratanga?"

Act 3:

Restoration & Partnership (Expanding the Vision)

Success Stories and Learnings

• Early Achievements: [To be filled with specific breeding programme successes]

• Release Programmes: Plans for returning bred kanakana to waterways

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracking the success of restoration efforts

Expanding the Network

• North-South Collaboration: How Hokonui's work is inspiring other regions

• Knowledge Sharing: Transferring breeding techniques and traditional knowledge

• Building Capacity: Training other iwi and organizations in kanakana conservation

• Nationwide Potential: How the ocean-mixing lifecycle means bred kanakana can repopulate any New Zealand waterway

Integrated Restoration Approach

• Habitat Restoration: Addressing water quality and stream health

• Fish Passage: Creating ways for kanakana to navigate barriers

• Community Engagement: Building local support for restoration efforts

Cultural Revival

• Reconnecting Youth: Young people learning about kanakana and their cultural significance

• Traditional Practices: Reviving sustainable harvesting knowledge for future generations

• Storytelling: Keeping kanakana stories and knowledge alive in communities

Interview Questions for Act 3:

• Restoration Coordinator: "What practical steps are being taken to restore kanakana populations?"

• Youth Engagement Leader: "How are young people connecting with kanakana conservation?"

• Partnership Facilitator: "How is collaboration between regions advancing kanakana restoration?"

Conclusion:

The Journey Continues

Vision for the Future

• Restored Populations: The goal of seeing kanakana runs return to traditional levels

• Cultural Reconnection: Communities reuniting with this culturally significant species

• Knowledge Legacy: Ensuring both traditional and scientific knowledge is preserved

Expanding Impact

• National Model: How Hokonui's approach could inspire kanakana restoration nationwide

• International Recognition: [To be filled if applicable]

• Research Contributions: How this work advances global lamprey conservation

The Path Forward

• Ongoing Challenges: Remaining obstacles to full restoration

• Collaborative Solutions: The importance of iwi, researchers, and agencies working together

• Long-term Commitment: Understanding that restoration is a multi-generational effort

Practical Actions for Listeners

• Supporting Restoration: How communities can contribute to kanakana conservation

• Habitat Protection: Individual actions that support freshwater health

• Cultural Learning: Opportunities to learn about kanakana and their significance

Final Reflection

• Jamie (series presenter) at Hokonui Rūnanga, reflecting on the pioneering work

• He Manawa Kanakana: The enduring strength and determination driving restoration

• Hope for the Future: Recognition that this work represents hope for both species and culture

Interview Questions for Conclusion:

• Riki Parata: "What does success look like for kanakana restoration in 20 years?"

• North Island Community Representative: "How has this partnership changed your community's relationship with kanakana?"

• Research Collaborator: "What can other conservation programmes learn from the kanakana breeding work?"