Eels and Maori Culture by Shay

There was once a giant eel called Tuna. The eel frightened the wives of the demigod Maui. To punish him, Maui cut Tuna in half. One half landed in the sea, becoming the conger eel, and the other half landed in a river, becoming the freshwater eel. This is the story of Tuna, a recurring motif in Maori culture. Eels are considered sacred, and the bigger the eel, the more it is treated as a god. 

Eels are highly valued in Maori culture from a cultural, nutritional, and economic point of view. However, due to decreasing numbers of longfin eels, the use of eels in their diet has been impacted. The eels have been impacted by human influence, such as commercial fishing and dams built in waterways. Due to the Maori's respect for these creatures, there has been a decrease in the use of eels in their diet. 


The Longfin Eels are known to be one of the largest eel species in the world. The female longfin eels average approximately 5 feet long, while the males average approximately 2 feet long. Longfin eels typically live 23-years, however the  longest-living eel was estimated to be 60-years-old. 


The Longfin Eels travel 5,000 kilometers to the South Pacific, close to Tanga, to breed. Once the females make this journey and release their eggs, they die. The male will then fertilize the eggs and then die as well. The eggs then float on ocean currents for the next 15 months until they eventually reach New Zealand. Once the eggs hatch, they move inland, swimming up rivers and dams. 


At Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, a dock was swarming with Longfin Eels. The reserve allows people to interact with eels by feeding them eel food. This is an excellent way for humans and eels to interact in a safe environment and provide an educational opportunity. Kids were very excited as they watched the eels move quickly through the water and scramble to get the food being offered. 


After learning about the importance of Longfin Eels in Maori culture, I understand why the decreasing population is critical and a concern for many. As I watched the people interact with the eels, I saw the importance of engaging with wildlife. It is a unique way to allow people to learn about a species, and especially useful for engaging kids with wildlife in a safe environment. 


Longfin Eels at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

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