DRAFT IN PROGRESS

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

  Matua Karl Russel - Cultural knowledge holder (Arowhenua)

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

References:

[To be added based on available research]

Introduction

Journey & Context

Jamie's Departure and Travel to Location

• Jamie in his element: Surfing, diving, boating, walking along Wellington seashore

• Travel reflection: Jamie traveling to the Wairarapa (car) while reflecting on what he expects to discover about tuna migration and human connections

• Journey anticipation: "I'm heading to the Wairarapa to meet people who've built lifetime relationships with tuna, and to witness one of nature's most remarkable migrations"

Jamie's Arrival - Meeting People Where Their Stories Begin

• Arrival at the marae: Jamie's formal welcome to the local marae (recent build)

• Cultural protocols: Traditional welcome and introduction to the community

• Setting: River running behind the marae - immediate visual connection between iwi, place, and waterways

Personal Welcome and Introductions

• Meeting Sam Ludden: Introduction at his pottery studio, seeing his eel pottery work

• Meeting Matt Paku: Sam's uncle, former commercial eel fisher, knowledge keeper

• Family bond: Understanding the beautiful intergenerational relationship that shapes this story

Setting Up the Journey (Physical and Emotional)

• Physical journey: Following tuna migration routes from rivers to ocean

• Emotional journey: Understanding how migration cycles shape cultural identity and family relationships

• Seasonal timing: Setting expectation for multiple filming periods to capture different migration phases

Elder Voices Establishing Deeper Wisdom

• Matt Paku's voice: Traditional knowledge about tuna lifecycle and migration

• Historical context: Stories of commercial fishing and traditional preservation methods

• Cultural foundation: How tuna migration has shaped community life for generations

Cultural Significance Through Pūrākau or Traditional Knowledge

• Migration stories: Traditional understanding of tuna's journey from ocean to freshwater and back

• Cultural calendar: How traditional communities organized around migration timing

• Spiritual significance: The role of tuna migration in traditional beliefs and cultural practices

Act 1

Memory & Connection (The Human Story)

Personal Stories and Lived Experiences with the Species

• Matt's commercial fishing memories: Stories of traditional eel fishing practices in local rivers

• Sam's childhood: Growing up "at the back of his uncle Matt's truck," learning about waterways

• Family traditions: How knowledge passed from Matt to Sam through shared experiences

• Individual connections: Personal relationships built with specific tuna over time

Traditional Practices and Knowledge from Kaumātua

• Matt's fishing expertise: Traditional methods of catching and reading tuna behavior

• Preservation techniques: How they salted and dried tuna meat for survival

• Seasonal knowledge: Understanding migration timing through environmental signs

• Historical documentation: Matt sharing historical photographs of traditional practices

Pūrākau and Mātauranga Māori Connecting People to Species Across Generations

• Migration stories: Traditional narratives about tuna's extraordinary journey

• Cultural teachings: How tuna behavior teaches about patience, timing, and natural cycles

• Ancestral connections: Understanding tuna as ancestors and teachers

• Sacred relationships: The spiritual dimensions of human-tuna connections

Intergenerational Memories and What Has Changed

• Matt's perspective: How commercial fishing and waterway health have changed over decades

• Environmental changes: Impacts on migration timing and tuna populations

• Knowledge continuity: What traditional knowledge remains relevant today

• Adaptation: How families like Matt and Sam's adapt traditional values to modern contexts

Younger Generations Creating New Connections and Taking Action

• Sam's artistic expression: Using pottery to celebrate and document tuna traditions

• Contemporary engagement: How Sam engages young people in waterway restoration

• New methods: Modern approaches guided by traditional knowledge

• Future vision: Sam's dreams for healthy waterways and cultural continuity

Initial Glimpses of Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Cultural revival: Hopes for traditional knowledge continuation

• Healthy waterways: Vision of thriving tuna populations and migration

• Community engagement: Dreams of youth connected to their waterways

• Knowledge exchange: Bringing together knowledge holders from different regions

Community Relationships That Enable Connection

• Whānau networks: How family relationships support knowledge transmission

• Marae connections: The role of iwi institutions in maintaining cultural practices

• Restoration groups: Community networks focused on waterway health

• Knowledge holders: Relationships between traditional practitioners across regions

Act 2

Discovery & Experience (Being Present)

The Journey to Reach Meaningful Places (Physical/Spiritual)

• Traditional fishing rivers: Visiting waters where Matt conducted commercial fishing

• Matt's former property: Journey to where he kept tuna, now sold but still accessible

• Sacred waters: Understanding spiritual significance of specific waterway locations

• Migration routes: Following pathways tuna use between river and ocean

Hands-on Moments with the Species or Waterway

• Migration observation: Filming juvenile tuna (whitebait) moving upstream in September/October

• Adult migration: Capturing adult tuna migrating downstream in March/April

• Underwater footage: Direct observation of tuna in their natural habitat

• Handling demonstrations: Matt showing traditional methods of respectful tuna interaction

Learning Through Doing - Traditional Practices in Action

• Reading migration signs: Matt teaching how to predict migration timing through environmental indicators

• Traditional fishing techniques: Demonstrating respectful harvesting methods

• Preservation methods: Hands-on learning about salting and drying techniques

• Riparian restoration: Sam leading planting work to improve tuna habitat

Sharing Knowledge Between Generations

• Matt teaching Sam: Ongoing knowledge transmission between uncle and nephew

• Sam engaging youth: How Sam shares traditional knowledge with younger people

• Community workshops: Knowledge sharing in restoration and cultural activities

• Cross-regional exchange: Matua Karl Russel sharing South Island perspectives

The Beauty and Depth of These Connections

• Migration wonder: Witnessing the remarkable natural phenomenon of tuna migration

• Family bonds: The deep relationship between Matt and Sam expressed through shared passion

• Cultural depth: Understanding how tuna migration connects to broader cultural identity

• Natural cycles: Appreciating the ancient rhythms that continue despite environmental change

Developing Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Restoration success: Evidence of habitat improvement supporting natural migration

• Knowledge documentation: Recording traditional practices through photography and pottery

• Community expansion: Growing networks of people committed to waterway health

• Cultural continuity: Ensuring traditional knowledge guides modern conservation efforts

Act 3

Action & Unity (Community Solutions)

How Communities Are Embracing Change and Adapting

• Sam's restoration initiatives: Leading riparian planting to reduce erosion and improve water quality

• Community engagement: Getting different generations involved in hands-on waterway care

• Cultural adaptation: Using traditional knowledge to guide modern restoration techniques

• Youth leadership: Young people taking active roles in waterway protection

Multiple Approaches to Caring for Waterways

• Habitat restoration: Physical work improving conditions for tuna migration

• Cultural revival: Artistic and educational approaches to maintaining traditional knowledge

• Knowledge exchange: Bringing together practitioners from different regions and backgrounds

• Community education: Teaching others to read migration signs and support natural cycles

Traditional and Contemporary Practices Working Together

• Guided restoration: Matt's traditional knowledge informing Sam's modern restoration work

• Artistic documentation: Sam's pottery preserving and celebrating traditional relationships

• Scientific integration: Combining traditional observation with contemporary monitoring

• Policy influence: How traditional knowledge guides modern conservation approaches

Community Gatherings and Shared Experiences

• Knowledge exchange: Matua Karl Russel visiting to share South Island practices

• Restoration workdays: Community coming together for hands-on habitat improvement

• Cultural celebrations: Gatherings that honor both migration cycles and cultural traditions

• Intergenerational learning: Events that bring together elders and youth around shared knowledge

Building Hope Through Collective Action

• Measurable success: Evidence of tuna responding positively to restoration efforts

• Growing participation: More people getting involved in waterway care and cultural learning

• Knowledge revival: Traditional practices being documented and shared more widely

• Natural resilience: Witnessing migration cycles continuing despite environmental challenges

Showing How Traditions Adapt While Values Endure

• Contemporary expression: Sam's pottery as modern way of honoring traditional relationships

• Adaptive management: Using traditional knowledge to respond to contemporary challenges

• Cultural continuity: Core values of respect and reciprocity expressed through modern actions

• Innovation within tradition: New methods guided by ancient wisdom

Fuller Exploration of Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Thriving migration: Vision of natural cycles supported by community restoration efforts

• Cultural strength: Traditional knowledge thriving and guiding contemporary conservation

• Community networks: Growing connections between knowledge holders and restoration practitioners

• Generational continuity: Young people carrying forward both traditional knowledge and restoration skills

Conclusion

The Journey Continues

Final Thoughts on Dreams and Visions for the Future

• Natural cycles supported: How community restoration work enables migration to continue

• Cultural knowledge alive: Traditional understanding guiding modern conservation efforts

• Intergenerational connection: Knowledge and passion passing from Matt to Sam to future generations

• Community growth: Expanding networks of people committed to waterway and cultural health

Practical Inspiration for Viewers

• Restoration participation: How viewers can get involved in local waterway restoration

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

• Migration observation: How communities can monitor and celebrate natural migration cycles

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

Return to Opening Themes/Whakataukī and Pūrākau

• Migration stories: Returning to traditional narratives about tuna's extraordinary journey

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

• Ancestral connections: Honoring tuna as teachers and cultural guides

• Seasonal rhythms: Celebrating the ancient cycles that continue to shape community life

Community Gathering Bringing Everyone Together (Mirroring Introduction)

• Marae gathering: Final scene at the marae with river flowing behind

• Knowledge celebration: Matt, Sam, and Matua Karl sharing stories and future visions

• Cultural protocols: Formal conclusion with traditional elements

• Collective vision: Community united around shared commitment to tuna and waterway health

Jamie's Personal Reflection on Discoveries

• Migration wonder: Jamie's amazement at witnessing natural migration cycles

• Relationship depth: Understanding how tuna migration shapes cultural identity

• Knowledge richness: Appreciation for traditional wisdom guiding modern conservation

• Hope for future: Confidence in community commitment to cultural and environmental health

Final Wisdom from Elders or Key Voices

• Matt Paku: Final thoughts on traditional knowledge and hopes for future generations

• Matua Karl Russel: Wisdom about regional connections and shared cultural values

• Sam Ludden: Vision for young people carrying forward both tradition and innovation

• Community voices: Collective commitment to supporting natural cycles and cultural continuity

Filming Locations Summary

Primary Location: Wairarapa (All Episode Content) Focus: Personal connections, natural migration documentation, habitat restoration

• Local marae (Jamie's welcome, community gatherings, cultural protocols)

• Sam's pottery studio (artistic expression, contemporary cultural connection)

• Matt's former property (drone and underwater footage, historical connection)

• Traditional fishing rivers (migration documentation, traditional knowledge sharing)

• Sam's riparian planting sites (restoration work, community action)

• Waipoua River and surrounding waterways (natural migration filming, habitat exploration)

• Community gathering spaces for knowledge exchange with Matua Karl Russel

Filming Schedule: Multiple Shoots

• August/September shoot: Interviews with Sam and Matt (sit-down)

• September/October shoots: Juvenile migration (whitebait moving upstream)

• March/April shoots: Adult migration (downstream to ocean)

• Year-round shoots: Resident populations, restoration work, interviews, cultural activities

Episode Balance:

• 80% Wairarapa content focusing on natural migration, relationships, and restoration

• 20% Cultural knowledge exchange and broader migration context