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Episode Structure

The Journey Home: Tuna Migration and Human Connection

Witnessing the extraordinary natural migration cycles of tuna and exploring the deep bonds between people and this species, from intimate individual relationships built over generations to community efforts that support these remarkable fish and their ancient pathways.

Contributing Experts:

• Vanessa Tipoki - Tuna caretaker and advocate (expert input)

• Sam Ludden - Artist & cultural practitioner, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa

• Matt Paku - Former commercial eel fisher, cultural knowledge holder, Sam's uncle

• Joseph Potangaroa - Cultural knowledge holder

• [Additional experts to be confirmed based on specific locations and programmes]

References:

[More to be added based on available research]

• Documentary Film makers & Film Productions. Watch Documentaries Online

Episode Summary

The episode follows Jamie's journey into the Wairarapa to explore the deep bonds between people and tuna across generations. Beginning at Sam Ludden's pottery studio where his art celebrates tuna traditions, Jamie learns how Sam's passion stems from childhood memories of growing up "on the back of his uncle Matt's truck." Meeting Matt Paku, a former commercial eel fisher, Jamie witnesses historical photographs and hears stories of traditional night harvesting practices that shaped Matt's lifetime connection to tuna. At the creek where Matt still connects with these ancient fish, he shares how the river has changed and the fact he is no longer practicing the night harvesting he once knew. As darkness falls, Sam leads Jamie and the community—including Joseph Potangaroa, kaitiaki and keeper of Wairarapa stories—on a nighttime river expedition, carrying forward the traditional methods Matt taught him. Under torchlight, Joseph shares the tikanga guiding their relationship with waterways while the group searches for tuna using ancestral knowledge adapted for contemporary conservation. Through Sam's riverbank restoration work and his commitment to teaching others, the episode reveals how traditional knowledge flows from Matt's commercial fishing past into Sam's vision for habitat renewal, transforming childhood lessons into community-led action that creates hope for tuna and future generations.

INTRODUCTION

• Jamie intro/arrival in Wairarapa

• Meet Sam at pottery studio - introduce his art and passion for tuna (sit-down interview and in studio with Jamie)

• Sam's childhood memories: Growing up "on the back of uncle Matt's truck"

ACT 1 - FAMILY CONNECTIONS & TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• Meeting Uncle Matt (pottery studio - Historical photos of commercial fishing, traditional practices

• Driving to creek where Matt connects with tuna today - Sam and Matt sharing stories with Jamie.

• Matt's life story: Commercial fishing background, relationship with tuna over decades, explains traditional night harvesting - when, why, how it was done (sit-down interview and walking along the creek with Jamie and Sam)

TRANSITION - FROM PAST TO PRESENT

• Migration explanation: Animations showing tuna lifecycle and migration patterns (why spotlighting at this time of year)

• Matt explaining Sam has taken on the role of teaching community members about tuna

• Setting up the night shoot: Why we're going, what we're looking for (transition via drone at sunset, and arriving on site)

ACT 2 - BEING PRESENT (NIGHT JOURNEY)

• Night shoot along the river with Jamie following Sam, Joseph Potangaroa, and community group - quick intro with group

• Joseph sharing: Traditional knowledge, stories/history the river holds, tikanga guiding community engagement with waterways. Spotlight for tuna - hands-on experience, traditional methods in action

• After main group leaves: Sam, Jamie, and Joseph walk back along river. Deeper dialogue about restoration vision

ACT 3 - RESTORATION & HOPE

• Return to pottery studio: Sam and Jamie working with materials together.

• Deeper conversation: Where does this passion come from? Connecting childhood memories (Matt's truck) to current restoration work

• How art can inspire people

CONCLUSION

• Sam sharing future visions: What he hopes to achieve through restoration and community education)

• Matt's hopes for future generations carrying forward knowledge - how Sam fits into that story through his art and his work

• Jamie's reflections on connections between generations, species, and place

FILMING LOCATIONS & SCENES

1. Sam's pottery studio - Initial meeting, working with materials scene, Historical photos, traditional knowledge about night harvesting

2. In truck - Traveling to Matt's creek, Sam sharing memories

3. Creek/stream - Matt showing tuna, his connection to the waterway

4. Night shoot location - River spotlighting with Sam, Joseph, community

5. River walk - Sam, Joseph and Jamie dive into deeper dialogue

6. Restoration sites - B-roll and drone footage of Sam's work

KEY PEOPLE

Sam Ludden - Artist & cultural practitioner, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, leading restoration and community education

Matt Paku - Former commercial eel fisher, cultural knowledge holder, Sam's uncle

Joseph Potangaroa - Kaitiaki of Ngati Hamua hapū and Rangitane o Wairarapa. Trained by kaumātua in tikanga, taiao, and Wairarapa history. Connecting students and teachers to the stories the land holds.

Jamie McCaskill - Presenter

Community members - Participating in night shoot