Living Fossils: The 300-Million-Year Story of Kanakana
Revealing the remarkable pouched lamprey that has survived virtually unchanged for over 300 million years.
FILMING 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.
Introduction
Journey & Context
Episode teaser
Part of the Karanga with Kristie, Mohi and their 2 children, at the estuary (close-ups, land shots)
Voice-over over b-roll, quick overview of Kanakana/Piharau in context for this region, but also Aotearoa (explain both names)
Series intro
Jamie filmed "at home". Salt man curious about the freshwater space.
Jamie's Travel and Arrival - Meeting People Where Their Stories Begin
Voice-over (Jamie sharing his reflections on changes and desire to learn more about kanakana/piharau) over cultural protocols: Traditional welcome (establish Jamie visually) and introduction at the community gathering: Kristie Parata, Tiffany Richards, Mohi Edwin, and others present for the whakatau (close-ups on hongi)
Mohi and Kristie’s introductions
Meeting Mohi Edwin: The passionate advocate for kanakana (piharau) and local waterways restoration (interview at Marae, b-roll along river with Kristie). Environmental changes and learning journey: Mohi's perspective as someone "very new to kanakana (piharau)" but committed to learning and sharing with tamariki/mokopuna. Understanding how restoring this ancient species could reconnect to cultural identity for future generations. Highlight his perspective on the emotional journey he is embarking on to bring back the health of their local waterways.
Meeting Kristie Parata: Introduction to Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti leadership and vision, and local history (interview at Marae, site 2, b-roll along river with Mohi). Historical context: Traditional understanding of mahinga kai/gathering practices from the awa. Stories she has heard from elders about traditional practices and the cultural significance of kanakana (piharau).
Connecting with the South
Riki-Kristie's whakapapa connection: Family/ancestral links (cousins from Kristie's father's side) that connect northern and southern knowledge holders. What they can learn from Riki and what this journey can bring to their hope for the future of their local waterways. Building context: How southern breeding innovations could support restoration in northern waters.
Act 1
The Journey South - Discovery & Connection
Travel to Southland
Flight south: Mohi, Kristie, and Jamie traveling to Southland to witness the breeding programme innovations (plane landing south, discussions in the car on their drive to Gore)
Journey anticipation: Understanding the whakapapa connection between Kristie and Riki (cousins from her father's side). Build on the reconnection and knowledge-sharing.
Arrival at Hokonui Rūnanga Facilities
Meeting Riki: Drive in. Welcome by Kristie's cousin and the breeding programme coordinator
Learning About the Breeding Programme and Building Hope Through Innovation
Meeting live kanakana (piharau): Direct observation of the ancient species in breeding tanks
Breeding programme exploration: Understanding captive breeding techniques and goals. Knowledge gained from first nations in USA. If this works, it will be a world first for this species. Innovation and vision: How Hokonui has hopes to breed kanakana to repopulate local streams and rivers, and also go wider in New Zealand to do the same across the nation
Cross-regional possibilities: Understanding how southern breeding could support restoration in northern waters (building hope), strengthened by whakapapa connections
Lead into the plans for the evening: nighttime visit to Mataura river, to get to the falls (kanaka are nocturnal and active at night)
Act 2
Being Present - The Night Journey
Journey Through History
Drive to the nighttime visit to the Mataura falls - in the hopes to find kanakana
Paper mill approach: Nighttime walk through old industrial infrastructure (head torches, locked doors, old Kana street sign) to reach collection site. Opportunity for historical storytelling: Understanding how infrastructures put in place by industry over 100 years ago now act as barriers for the fish migrating up the river, making it impossible for them to reproduce as they have for millions of years (context of them being around for around 360 million years and the changes have impacted them in such a short time in history). Historical poignancy: Understanding what was lost through industrial development and what's now being ‘rebuilt’
Live cameras: an exciting moment when the team sees that there are fish present tonight (why is this event so rare)
Hands-on Moments - The Catch
Nighttime collection: Riki, Mohi, Kristie and Jamie going down to the river to catch kanakana during their migration attempt
Collection methods: Learning how kanakana (piharau) are safely captured. Ancient wonder: Direct connection with a species that has survived for millions of years, where have they come from (ocean) and why they need to migrate up the river at this time (unique life cycle).
Special moment: what this means for everyone
Relocation and Restoration
Car shot - moving the fish: Relocating kanakana up the river, above the obstacles that are creating a barrier to their migration
Practical restoration: Understanding how this work directly supports kanakana (piharau) survival and population recovery. Hope that they successfully breed.
Bridge between past and future: How this work creates hope despite historical barriers
Act 3
Reflection, Hope & Unity
Reflections and Hope, Young Voices and Future Hope
Next morning: Jamie’s reflections at release site (end on drone shot of river above, cut to Kapa Haka)
Kapa Haka: creating hope for the future, cut with Courtney and student interviews + Mohi and Kristie’s reflections (cut to images of them at the river). Inspiring hope: How young people's passion and connection to kanakana inspires hope for the future. Generational continuity: Tamariki/mokopuna carrying forward both traditional knowledge and restoration innovation
Regional Reflections on Kanakana Importance, Water is Life - Healthy Waterways
Mohi's vision: Reflections on what kanakana restoration means for Waikanae and future generations (his emotional journey). Connection to waterways: Understanding the fundamental importance of healthy waterways. Cultural values: How respect for water connects to respect for all life. Environmental health: The relationship between waterway health and kanakana (piharau) survival. Community responsibility: How everyone has a role in waterway protection
Kristie's understanding: Traditional knowledge and contemporary restoration working together (reconnecting and building on this connection). Hope for future: Confidence in the combination of traditional knowledge and innovative science creating restoration possibilities. What she hopes to bring “home”. Reflecting on the journey: What they learned in Southland and how it connects to their restoration dreams
Conclusion
The Journey Continues - Return to Waikanae
Back Home with New Understanding
Return to Waikanae - full circle: Mohi and Kristie back home. Family connection: Walking along the water with their son and daughter, with Kristie’s karanga: A powerful moment of cultural connection as Kristie "calls" the kanakana back to Waikanae waters. Hope embodied: The act of calling represents faith in restoration and cultural continuity. Family witness: Their children present for this moment, connecting past and future
Final Wisdom and Hope
Closing proverb: A whakataukī on screen linking hope and connections to people's waterways. Enduring connection: Returning to themes of eternal relationships between people and their ancestral species
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Additional information
Note: Contributing experts are subject to change
Contributing Experts:
Jane Kitson - Researcher, company director (Kitson Consulting Ltd)
Riki Parata - Hokonui Rūnanga, Kanakana (piharau) breeding programme coordinator
Terry Nicholas (Kaiwhakahaere)
Jim Geddes - Māruwai Centre
Kristie Parata - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti
Tiffany Manihera Richards - Te Atiawa ki Kāpiti
Nanny Rangikaira (Jennifer) and Koko Steve, Cultural knowledge and traditional practices - 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 Rita Eruini - Traditional harvester (historical context - passed away)
Descendants of Nanny Rita Eruini - [To be invited to hui]
Darren Davis - Taranaki harvesting experiences [TBC - subject to Iwi connections]
Camera appearance for Te Ihi o Māruawai Kapa Haka:
Ivory Manukau (Māruawai College) - Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi
Saiyan Manukau (Māruawai College) - Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi
Te Aitanga Smith (Māruawai College) - Ngāti Kahungunu
Arona Smith (Māruawai College) - Ngāti Kahungunu
Tegan Harris (Māruawai College)
Paige Harris (Māruawai College)
Peter Mahia (Māruawai College) - Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu
Alexi Brunton (Māruawai College)
Summah Mason (Māruawai College) - Ngāti Porou
Tayla Glover (Māruawai College)
Kiahna Marsh (Māruawai College) - Ngāti Porou, Ngāriki Kaipūtahi, Te Whānau-ā-Takimoana, Ngāpuhi
Moana-Alev Turkmen (Blue Mountains College) - Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Awa
Bruce Eales (Blue Mountains College) - Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Awa
Boston Setefano (Blue Mountains College) - Ngāti Porou
Sam Hadfield (Māruawai College – guitarist)
Chloe Coxshall (Kaiāwhina)
Courtney Bennett (Tutor)
References:
[More to be added based on available research]
Filming locations:
Whakarongotai Marae (Kāpiti)
Kāpiti area streams and rivers
Hokonui Rūnanga
Paper mill & Mataura falls
Mataura river (upstream from falls, with falls in background)
Mataura river (upstream, above Gore town bridge)
Episode Balance:
20% Kāpiti Coast introduction focusing on traditional knowledge, environmental history, and restoration dreams (Mohi, Kristie, Jamie)
50% Southland content: breeding programme, nighttime paper mill journey, catching and relocating kanakana (Riki, Mohi, Kristie, Jamie)
20% Reflections and future hope: regional perspectives, kapa haka, student voices, Jamie's reflection
10% Conclusion: Return to Waikanae with Mohi, Kristie, and their children; Kristie calling kanakana home
Main Characters
Jamie (host/guide)
Mohi Edwin (passionate advocate for kanakana restoration, learning journey)
Kristie Parata (cultural knowledge holder, Riki's cousin)
Riki Parata (breeding programme coordinator at Hokonui Rūnanga, Kristie's cousin from her father's side)
Secondary Characters
Courtney Bennett
Kapa Haka students