Elver Karakia and Welcome

                               

On Saturday 2nd November 2019 we held a karakia/welcome for the elvers that we hope are making their way up the Ruamahanga River this spring.

We were lucky to have the karakia said by Rangi McGregor, He Rangatira o Ngati Hikawera, a chief of the Ngati Hikawera hapu which has guardianship of this part of the Ruamahanga River.
                                             

The elvers travelling up the Ruamahanga River have already had a challenging journey.

They are the product of parents who took one long and final journey to spawning grounds somewhere in the South Pacific, releasing their eggs and sperm.

The fertilised eggs then developed into larvae which have travelled back to New Zealand via ocean currents.

They have then entered the Wairarapa's rivers as small juveniles which are known as glass eels. As the glass eels migrate upstream they gradually grow darker and are more commonly known as elvers.

Eventually they will reach adulthood in the Wairarapa's streams, rivers and lakes and remain here for many years.

Those that survive will eventually get the calling to make their way back down the Ruamahanga for one long final journey.

Hopefully this karakia-welcome is the start of a journey to restore the mana tuna once enjoyed, and enrich our lives as well.