DRAFT IN PROGRESS

Episode Structure

The Return of the Local Dinosaur: Kanakana (Piharau) 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 science are combining to bring kanakana (piharau) back to waterways where they once thrived.

Note 1: Sections marked as [To be filled] will be completed once more specific information about the breeding programme, research findings, and partnership details are available.

Note 2: Contributing experts and people interviewed are subject to change

Note 3: Contributing experts and people interviewed are subject to change

Potential Contributing Experts:

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

  Riki Parata - Hokonui Rūnanga, Kanakana (piharau) breeding programme coordinator

  Jim Geddes - Māruwai Centre

  Kristie Parata - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti

  Kara Kearney - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti

  Liam McAuliffe - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti

  Mohi Edwin - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti

  Matua Tutiri Parata - Elder, traditional knowledge holder, memories of last piharau harvest

  Liz Gibson - Freshwater Manager, Mountains to Sea (eDNA testing)

  Aaron Kearney - Traditional knowledge holder, history of mahinga kai/gathering

  Nanny Rangi - Elder [TBC for whakatau]

  Uncle Steve - Cultural knowledge and traditional practices

  Nanny Rita Eruini - Traditional harvester (historical context - passed away)

  Descendants of Nanny Rita Eruini - [To be invited to hui]

  Local Southland elders [TBD] - Traditional knowledge about kanakana (piharau) migration

  Darren Davis - Taranaki harvesting experiences [TBC - subject to Iwi connections]

  Tawhirikura whānau representatives - Traditional knowledge specialists [TBC - subject to Iwi connections]

References:

[To be added based on available research]

Filming locations:

• Whakarongotai Marae (Kāpiti)

• Kāpiti area streams and rivers

• Hokonui Rūnanga

• Paper mill & Mataura falls

• Local rivers and streams (locations TBD)

Introduction

Journey & Context

Jamie's Departure and Travel to Location

• Jamie filmed "at home": Before starting his journey

• Travel reflection: Jamie traveling to the Kāpiti Coast while reflecting on what he expects to discover about this ancient species restoration effort

• Journey anticipation: "I'm heading to the Kāpiti Coast to meet people who are working to bring back one of our most ancient freshwater species - a living dinosaur that has survived for millions of years"

Jamie's Arrival - Meeting People Where Their Stories Begin

• Arrival at Whakaronotai Marae: Jamie's formal but informal welcome (whakatau)

• Cultural protocols: Traditional welcome and introduction to the community

• Community gathering: Kristie Parata, Mohi Edwin, Nanny Rangi, and Aaron Kearney present for the whakatau

Personal Welcome and Introductions

• Meeting Kristie Parata: Introduction to Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti leadership and vision

• Meeting Mohi Edwin: The passionate advocate for kanakana (piharau) restoration and local history expert

• Meeting Matua Tutiri Parata: Elder with traditional knowledge and childhood memories of last piharau harvest c50 years ago

• Meeting Aaron Kearney: Traditional knowledge holder about mahinga kai/gathering history from the awa

Setting Up the Journey (Physical and Emotional)

• Physical journey: From Kāpiti Coast traditional knowledge and harvesting sites, then flight south to Hokonui breeding innovation

• Emotional journey: Understanding how restoring ancient species connects to cultural identity and future generations

• Learning journey: Mohi's perspective as someone "very new to kanakana (piharau)" but committed to learning and sharing with tamariki/mokopuna

• Historical journey: Following the path from past abundance to current restoration efforts

Elder Voices Establishing Deeper Wisdom

• Opening with whakataukī: "Puanga ki runga, Piharau ki raro" (star above, lamprey below) - connection between celestial cycles and aquatic life cycles

• Mohi's historical context: Waikanae early history and the awa as important area for gathering kai - river mouth pataka that was the largest early European settlers had seen (currently stored at Te Papa)

• Aaron Kearney's knowledge: Traditional understanding of mahinga kai/gathering practices from the awa

• Historical context: Stories of Nanny Rita Eruini's harvesting work and traditional practices (through descendants and those who knew her mahi)

Cultural Significance Through Pūrākau or Traditional Knowledge

• Ancient survival: Understanding kanakana (piharau) as living dinosaurs that have survived for millions of years

• Waikanae naming: The name Waikanae comes from the word kanae/mullet, showing the deep connection between place and fish species

• Cultural calendar: How traditional communities organized around kanakana (piharau) timing

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

• Riki-Mohi whakapapa connection: Family/ancestral links between northern and southern knowledge holders

Act 1

Memory & Connection (The Human Story)

Personal Stories and Lived Experiences with the Species

• Matua Tutiri Parata's memories: Childhood experiences of last piharau harvest c50 years ago, cooking, eating, and understanding the importance of piharau as kai

• Aaron Kearney's cultural knowledge: Stories of kanakana (piharau)'s cultural prominence in mahinga kai/gathering practices from the awa

• Mohi's learning journey: Personal perspective as someone new to kanakana (piharau) but passionate about restoration and local history

• Historical connections: Stories of Nanny Rita Eruini's harvesting work passed down through community memory

Traditional Practices and Knowledge from Kaumātua

• Matua Tutiri Parata's traditional knowledge: Direct experience from his childhood of piharau harvest, cooking, and eating - understanding what it means to have this species in the river and the importance of piharau as kai

• Aaron Kearney's mahinga kai knowledge: Traditional understanding of gathering practices and history of the area with regard to mahinga kai/gathering from the awa

• Nanny Rita Eruini's legacy: Traditional harvesting practices preserved in community memory

• Uncle Steve's knowledge: Cultural knowledge and traditional practices passed down through family

• Seasonal knowledge: Understanding kanakana (piharau) timing through environmental signs

Pūrākau and Mātauranga Māori Connecting People to Species Across Generations

• Living dinosaur stories: Traditional understanding of kanakana (piharau) as ancient survivors

• Cultural teachings: How kanakana (piharau) behavior and lifecycle connect to cultural values

• Ancestral connections: Understanding kanakana (piharau) as taonga and cultural treasure

• Sacred relationships: The spiritual dimensions of human-kanakana (piharau) connections

Intergenerational Memories and What Has Changed

• Matua Tutiri Parata's perspective: How kanakana (piharau) presence has changed since his childhood c50 years ago - the last time piharau were harvested from the river

• Environmental changes: How the river mouth/wetland environment has been modified and drained over the years to enable housing, impacting potential habitat for fish including piharau

• Mohi's historical understanding: How infrastructure changes (like moving the marae from beside the river to central Waikanae near the train line) reflect broader environmental modifications

• Knowledge continuity: What traditional knowledge remains relevant today

• Knowledge gaps: Recognizing what has been lost and needs to be rediscovered

Younger Generations Creating New Connections and Taking Action

• Mohi's leadership: Contemporary engagement in kanakana (piharau) restoration despite being "very new" to the species

• Kristie's coordination: Leading current restoration efforts and community engagement

• Learning approach: Focus on tamariki/mokopuna and future generations

• New methods: Modern approaches guided by available traditional knowledge

Initial Glimpses of Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Mohi's restoration dreams: Vision of kanakana (piharau) returning to Waikanae waters and hopes for the future

• Matua Tutiri's hopes: Elder's vision for future generations being able to experience piharau as kai and cultural connection

• Cultural revival: Hopes for traditional knowledge continuation and expansion

• Community engagement: Dreams of tamariki/mokopuna connected to their ancestral species

• eDNA anticipation: The hope that scientific testing will confirm piharau presence and guide restoration efforts

• North-South connection: Setting up the link to Riki's work in Southland through whakapapa and shared vision

Community Relationships That Enable Connection

• Iwi networks: Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti relationships supporting knowledge gathering

• Marae connections: Whakaronotai Marae as central gathering place, plus understanding of how marae placement decisions reflect environmental changes

• Family knowledge: Connections to descendants of traditional practitioners like Nanny Rita Eruini

• Cross-regional whakapapa: Family/ancestral connections between Mohi and Riki that bridge North and South Island restoration efforts

• Scientific partnerships: Collaboration with experts like Liz Gibson who support cultural restoration goals

• Te Papa connection: Potential link to the historic pataka stored at Te Papa as evidence of past abundance

Confirming Present Connection

• River mouth exploration: Mohi showing the Waikanae river mouth where you can get a good sense of the area and history - site of the historic pataka

• Traditional kanakana (piharau) waters: Visiting locations where Matua Tutiri knew piharau in his childhood

• Last harvest site: Visiting the area by the old SH1 Waikanae bridge where piharau were last harvested c50 years ago

• eDNA water sampling: Liz Gibson conducting scientific testing to determine if piharau are still in the river - leaving the test result as a hook for later in the episode

• Hope and uncertainty: The anticipation of whether kanakana (piharau) still exist in Waikanae waters

Act 2

Discovery & Experience (Being Present)

The Journey to Reach Meaningful Places (Physical/Spiritual)

• Flight south: Traveling to Southland to witness the breeding programme innovations

• Hokonui Rūnanga facilities: Arriving at the pioneering breeding programme site

• Paper mill approach: Journey through old industrial infrastructure to reach collection site

• Historical pathway: Understanding the route kanakana (piharau) once took naturally

Hands-on Moments with the Species or Waterway

• Breeding programme exploration: Behind-the-scenes look at captive kanakana (piharau) and breeding tanks

• Meeting live kanakana (piharau): Direct observation of the ancient species in breeding facilities

• Paper mill journey and historical exploration: Nighttime walk through old industrial infrastructure to collection site, learning why kanakana (piharau) can't migrate naturally anymore

• Nighttime collection: Witnessing the annual kanakana (piharau) capture during their brief migration attempt

Learning Through Doing - Traditional Practices in Action

• Breeding programme operations: Understanding captive breeding techniques and goals

• Collection methods: Learning how kanakana (piharau) are safely captured during their migration attempt

• Historical understanding: Discovering through the paper mill journey why natural migration was disrupted

• Scientific integration: How breeding programme combines traditional knowledge with contemporary science

Sharing Knowledge Between Generations

• Riki's innovation: Breeding programme coordinator sharing scientific and cultural approaches

• Mohi-Riki whakapapa connection: Exploring the family/ancestral links between Mohi and Riki that connect northern and southern knowledge holders

• Local Southland elders [TBD]: Stories about kanakana (piharau) migration and hopes for the future

• Historical storytelling: Learning about past abundance and industrial impacts during paper mill walk

• Cross-regional learning: Understanding how southern innovations could support northern restoration, strengthened by whakapapa connections

The Beauty and Depth of These Connections

• Ancient survivor: Witnessing a species that has survived for millions of years

• Innovation beauty: Seeing how traditional knowledge guides modern breeding science

• Historical poignancy: Understanding what was lost through industrial development and what's being rebuilt

• Cultural continuity: How breeding programme honors traditional relationships with kanakana (piharau)

Developing Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Breeding programme potential: Understanding how captive breeding creates restoration opportunities

• Cross-regional possibilities: How southern breeding could support restoration in northern waters

• Knowledge expansion: Building understanding of kanakana (piharau) biology and behavior

• Bridge between past and future: How the breeding programme creates hope despite historical barriers

Act 3

Action & Unity (Community Solutions)

How Communities Are Embracing Change and Adapting

• Hokonui's pioneering spirit: First community to attempt kanakana (piharau) captive breeding in New Zealand

• Te Atiawa adaptation: Using modern science to validate and support traditional restoration dreams

• Innovation through adversity: Turning industrial barriers into restoration opportunities

• Community commitment: Long-term dedication to species restoration despite challenges

Multiple Approaches to Caring for Waterways

• Traditional knowledge preservation: Recording and sharing elder knowledge about historical kanakana (piharau) presence

• Captive breeding innovation: Hokonui's groundbreaking programme creating restoration opportunities

• Scientific monitoring: Water testing confirming species presence in traditional waters

• Community education: Engaging tamariki/mokopuna in species restoration across regions

Traditional and Contemporary Practices Working Together

• Cultural integration: Breeding programme combining mātauranga Māori with contemporary science

• Traditional site identification: Elder knowledge identifying where kanakana (piharau) historically existed

• Modern confirmation: Scientific methods validating traditional knowledge about species locations

• Holistic approach: Understanding restoration as both cultural and ecological healing

Community Gatherings and Shared Experiences

• Breeding programme community: Hokonui bringing together researchers, cultural practitioners, and community

• Knowledge exchange: Sharing discoveries between North and South Island communities

• Cultural celebrations: Honoring both kanakana (piharau) and the communities working to restore them

• Collaborative planning: Communities working together despite geographical distance

Building Hope Through Collective Action

• Breeding innovation: Hokonui programme demonstrating how captive breeding can support restoration

• Confirmed survival: Water testing shows kanakana (piharau) still exist in traditional waters despite low numbers

• Growing networks: Connections forming between communities committed to restoration

• Cultural revival: Traditional knowledge being documented and shared more widely

Showing How Traditions Adapt While Values Endure

• Innovation within tradition: Breeding programmes guided by traditional values of reciprocity and care

• Adaptive approaches: Communities finding new ways to honor ancient relationships

• Cultural continuity: Core values of respect for kanakana (piharau) expressed through modern restoration work

• Generational bridge: Connecting traditional knowledge with contemporary restoration science

Fuller Exploration of Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Restoration network: Vision of breeding programmes supporting restoration across multiple regions

• Cultural strength: Traditional knowledge thriving and guiding contemporary restoration efforts

• Abundant populations: Long-term goal of kanakana (piharau) returning to "abundant harvestable numbers"

• Generational continuity: Tamariki/mokopuna carrying forward both traditional knowledge and restoration innovation

Conclusion

The Journey Continues

Final Thoughts on Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Restoration possibilities: How breeding programme innovations create hope for restoration in traditional waters

• Cultural knowledge alive: Traditional understanding guiding modern restoration efforts across regions

• Intergenerational connection: Knowledge passing from Koko Tutere to Mohi to future tamariki/mokopuna

• Community networks: Growing connections between North and South Island restoration efforts

Practical Inspiration for Viewers

• Restoration participation: How communities can get involved in local kanakana (piharau) restoration

• Cultural learning: Opportunities to learn about traditional relationships with ancestral species

• Scientific engagement: How communities can participate in monitoring and breeding programmes

• Knowledge sharing: Ways to support documentation and transmission of traditional knowledge

Return to Opening Themes/Whakataukī and Pūrākau

• "Puanga ki runga, Piharau ki raro": Returning to the eternal connection between celestial and aquatic cycles

• Living dinosaur stories: Honoring kanakana (piharau) as ancient survivors and cultural treasures

• Cultural wisdom: Reinforcing traditional teachings about patience, persistence, and natural cycles

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

Community Gathering Bringing Everyone Together (Mirroring Introduction)

• Return to Kāpiti Coast: Community gathering at Whakaronotai Marae where people learn from breeding programme discoveries

• eDNA results revelation: Liz Gibson sharing the water testing results - the crucial question of whether piharau still exist in Waikanae waters

• Knowledge integration: Team sharing breeding programme discoveries and how Riki's work (connected through whakapapa to Mohi) could support restoration

• Cultural integration: Understanding how breeding programme innovations could support restoration in traditional Waikanae waters

• Collective vision: Community coming together around shared commitment to bringing kanakana (piharau) back to their waterways

• Future planning: Discussion of how breeding programme success could eventually support restoration in Waikanae, strengthened by family connections between regions

Jamie's Personal Reflection on Discoveries

• Ancient wonder: Jamie's amazement at witnessing efforts to restore a living dinosaur

• Innovation appreciation: Understanding how breeding programmes turn industrial barriers into restoration opportunities

• Knowledge connection: Appreciating how traditional knowledge from Kāpiti guides breeding approaches in the south

• Hope for future: Confidence in the combination of traditional knowledge and innovative science creating restoration possibilities for Kāpiti waters

Final Wisdom from Elders or Key Voices

• Matua Tutiri Parata: Final thoughts on traditional knowledge, hopes for kanakana (piharau) return to Waikanae waters, and what it would mean for future generations to experience piharau as kai

• Mohi Edwin: Vision for tamariki/mokopuna connecting with their ancestral species in restored waters, and hopes for the future of Waikanae

• Riki Parata: Wisdom about how breeding programme innovations could support restoration in traditional waters, connected through whakapapa with northern whānau

• Aaron Kearney: Reflections on mahinga kai traditions and hopes for restoration of gathering practices

• Local Southland elders [TBD]: Reflections on kanakana (piharau) migration stories and restoration hopes

Filming Locations Summary

Primary Locations:

Kāpiti Coast (Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti territory)

• Whakaronotai Marae (whakatau welcome, cultural protocols, final community gathering)

• Waikanae river mouth (Mohi showing historic pataka site and environmental history)

• Old SH1 Waikanae bridge area (Matua Tutiri at last piharau harvest site c50 years ago)

• Current marae in central Waikanae (understanding infrastructure/environmental change decisions)

• Location of old marae next to the river (historical context of marae movement)

• Waikanae River locations (eDNA testing sites with Liz Gibson)

• Te Papa (potential filming of historic pataka, if accessible)

Southland

• Hokonui Rūnanga facilities (captive breeding programme and tanks)

• Old paper mill (nighttime journey to collection site, historical context)

• Kanakana (piharau) collection site (annual capture during migration attempt)

Filming Schedule:

• Kāpiti Coast shoots:

  • Whakatau at Whakaronotai Marae with community

  • Mohi at Waikanae river mouth discussing history and environmental changes

  • Matua Tutiri Parata at old SH1 Waikanae bridge (last harvest site)

  • Aaron Kearney discussing mahinga kai history

  • Liz Gibson conducting eDNA testing at various river locations

  • Current and old marae locations for historical context

• Te Papa [potential]: Historic pataka filming if accessible

• Flight south: Travel to Southland for breeding programme focus

• Breeding programme documentation: Hokonui facilities, tanks, breeding operations

• Nighttime collection: Annual kanakana (piharau) capture, paper mill journey, historical storytelling

• Local elder interviews [TBD]: Southland stories about kanakana (piharau) migration and restoration hopes

• Return to Kāpiti: Community gathering with eDNA results revelation and future planning

Episode Balance:

• 40% Kāpiti Coast content focusing on traditional knowledge, environmental history, and restoration dreams

• 45% Hokonui breeding programme, nighttime collection, historical context, and whakapapa connections

• 15% Return to Kāpiti for eDNA results, community knowledge sharing and future planning