DRAFT IN PROGRESS

Episode Structure

The Season That Brings Us Together: Whitebait Communities and Waterway Connections

"Following three experienced fishermen as they wait for the annual whitebait migration, this episode explores how the seasonal arrival of juvenile galaxiid fish creates powerful bonds between generations. Through the lens of a Marae-centered approach to collective harvesting and sharing, we discover how whitebait season strengthens community connections and inspires hope for future generations' relationships with both waterways and ocean."

Contributing Experts:

• John Henry - Community leader and whitebait knowledge holder

• Matua Karl Russell - Elder fisherman and traditional knowledge keeper

• Kevin [surname to be confirmed] - Experienced whitebaiter and community member

• Mel Henry - Present in scenes (soundbites as appropriate)

• Jane Kitson - Researcher

• [Additional community members - names to be confirmed]

References:

[To be added based on available research]

Filming locations:

• Local Marae - freezer/storage area and kitchen

• John and Mel's home

• Road journey to the coast

• Coastal/ocean fishing spots

• River locations (for historical context)

• Community gathering spaces at Marae

Introduction

From Marae to Sea: Waiting for the Season

Setting the Scene:

• Jamie in his element in Wellington (surfing/on his boat), reflecting on the journey ahead

• Traveling to the community, anticipating meeting the fishermen who hold generations of knowledge

• Arrival at the Marae, early morning, quiet anticipation

Meeting at the Marae:

• Jamie arriving at the Marae, greeted by John Henry

• Meeting Matua Karl Russell and Kevin

• Walking through to the freezer/storage area - the heart of community sharing

• The men showing stored whitebait from previous season

Context Setting:

• Voice-over explaining whitebait as juvenile galaxiid species returning from sea

• The Manawhenua License: Special fishing rights that serve the entire community

• Collective Purpose: The tradition of catching for everyone, not just license holders

• The Feel of Timing: Not a calendar date, but accumulated knowledge and intuition

Jamie's reflection: "Today I'm meeting three men who've spent lifetimes reading the subtle signs that tell them when tiny fish will arrive. Their knowledge, passed down through generations, serves not just themselves but an entire community waiting for the season that brings them together."

The Journey Begins:

• Understanding how the Marae stores and shares whitebait year-round

• Learning about the manawhenua license and community sharing

• Setting up the anticipation of "when will they come?"

Act 1

Discovery & Connection (Knowledge Keepers at the Marae)

Three Generations of Fishermen

• John Henry, Karl, and Kevin sharing their fishing histories

• Learning techniques as young boys from their elders

• The responsibility of passing knowledge to younger generations

• How each man developed their ability to "feel" when whitebait will run

History and Traditions at the Marae

• Karl explaining how whitebait has always brought people together

• Stories of who taught them - parents, grandparents, community elders

• The Manawhenua License: How special fishing rights serve everyone

• Distribution Systems: Organizing sharing throughout the year for tangi, weddings, events

Childhood Memories and Learning

• John sharing stories of learning as a child

• Kevin describing traditional fishing spots and techniques

• Karl explaining how the stories of whitebait were told to them

• Understanding the deeper meanings beyond just catching fish

Reading the Signs: Intuitive Knowledge

• The men explaining how they "feel" when it's time

• Not following Western calendar but natural rhythms

• Accumulated knowledge from decades of observation

• Weather patterns, moon phases, water temperature, subtle changes

Preparing to Wait

• The anticipation building among the three fishermen

• Equipment checks and preparation

• The community waiting for the call

• Jamie learning about patience and timing

Interview Questions for Act 1:

• John Henry: "How do you know when the whitebait will run? What signs do you feel?"

• Matua Karl Russell: "Who taught you to fish for whitebait? What stories did they tell you?"

• Kevin: "How has the manawhenua license helped your community share this resource?"

• All three together: "What does it mean to hold this knowledge for your community?"

Act 2

Innovation & Action (The Wait and The Run)

Day One: John's Feeling - First Journey

At John's Home:

• Evening scene with John and Mel discussing the season

• John sensing it might be time tomorrow

• Mel's supportive presence, understanding the rhythms

• The quiet anticipation in the household

The Morning Call:

• John calling Karl and Kevin early morning

• "I think today might be the day"

• The men gathering, loading gear

• Jamie joining them with excitement

Journey to the Ocean:

• Road trip conversations about changes over time

• Where men traditionally fished (ocean) vs women (river)

• Habitat changes along riverbanks

• Restoration efforts and their impacts on fish numbers

• Consequences through the food chain

At the Ocean - Nothing Yet:

• Checking the water, reading conditions

• No whitebait running yet

• "Maybe tomorrow" - the patience required

• Stories while waiting about past seasons

• Journey home with anticipation intact

Day Two: The Run Begins

The Next Morning:

• One of the men gets the feeling again

• Quick calls between John, Karl, and Kevin

• Loading up with renewed hope

• Jamie's excitement building

Return to the Ocean - Success:

• Arriving to find the whitebait have started

• The excitement and energy shift

• Fishing gear coming out quickly

• The three men working in practiced harmony

• Jamie learning to spot and net the tiny fish

The Harvest:

• Careful collection techniques

• Working together efficiently

• The joy of a successful run

• Planning for community distribution

Interview Questions for Act 2:

• John (Day 1 at ocean): "What are you looking for when you check for whitebait? How do you stay patient?"

• Karl (during waiting): "How have the fishing spots changed since your childhood?"

• Kevin (about habitat): "What restoration work has helped the whitebait? What still needs doing?"

• John (Day 2 with fish): "How does it feel when the run finally starts? What goes through your mind?"

Act 3

Stewardship & Hope (Sharing and Celebration)

Return to Marae: Community Gathering

• Road trip back with successful catch

• The men reflecting on the morning's success

• Arriving at Marae to waiting community

• Excitement spreading through the gathering

Processing for the Community

• Preparing whitebait for freezing

• Organized distribution planning

• Ensuring elders and those unable to fish receive shares

• Young people helping and learning the process

• The manawhenua license serving its purpose

Celebration and Kai

• Community feast with fresh whitebait

• Multiple generations gathering together

• John, Karl, and Kevin sharing stories of the wait and catch

• Mel and other community members preparing traditional dishes

• Jamie experiencing the joy of collective celebration

Passing Forward the Knowledge

• The three men with younger community members

• Teaching not just technique but values

• Understanding patience, observation, sharing

• The importance of caring for habitats

Environmental Stewardship

• Discussion of ongoing restoration work

• How fishing connects to conservation

• The men as guardians of both tradition and ecosystem

• Hope despite environmental challenges

Reflections on Connection

• How these fish connect people to environment

• Generations of relationship with waterways

• The power of seasonal rhythms

• Hope for many generations to come

Interview Questions for Act 3:

• John, Karl, and Kevin together: "What does this successful run mean for your community?"

• Karl: "How do you teach young ones not just to fish, but to care for the waterways?"

• Kevin: "What gives you hope for future whitebait seasons?"

• John: "How does sharing through the manawhenua license strengthen your community?"

Conclusion

Seasons of Connection, Generations of Care

The Power of Waiting Together

• Understanding how anticipation builds community bonds

• The shared excitement when the run begins

• Patience as a community value

• Trust in traditional knowledge keepers

The Marae as Heart

• Year-round reminder of collective values

• Whitebait connecting people through all seasons

• Tangi, weddings, celebrations united by shared resource

• The manawhenua license as expression of reciprocity

Three Voices, One Message

• John, Karl, and Kevin reflecting together

• What they learned from their elders

• What they're passing to the next generation

• The unbroken chain of knowledge

Environmental Hope

• Acknowledging challenges and changes

• Restoration efforts showing results

• Community commitment to waterway health

• Faith in regeneration and renewal

Jamie's Final Reflection

• At the Marae feast with the community

• Understanding the deeper rhythms of connection

• The privilege of witnessing traditional knowledge in action

• How waiting and watching deepens relationship with place

Final Gathering Scene:

• Wide shot of community feast at Marae

• John, Karl, and Kevin surrounded by families

• Young people listening to stories of the season

• Mel and others serving whitebait dishes

• Waiata bringing everyone together

• The promise of next season already building

Interview Questions for Conclusion:

• John Henry: "What legacy does the whitebait tradition leave for future generations?"

• Matua Karl Russell: "How has a lifetime of whitebait seasons shaped your connection to this place?"

• Kevin: "What do you want young people to understand about waiting and watching?"

• All three: "What does it mean that these tiny fish bring an entire community together?"

Closing Message: Understanding that the rhythm of waiting, watching, and sharing creates bonds stronger than any single season - connections between people and place that span generations, sustained by patience, knowledge, and the commitment to catch not for oneself, but for all.