Beneath the Surface - NZ's freshwater fish

Metiria Turei will speak about the threats facing New Zealand's Freshwater fish - particularly eels (tuna). The talk will cover the threats to our freshwater fish and examine some solutions and progress we have already made.

Additionally, we are very privileged to be able to show the film 'Longfin' as part of this nation wide tour. Longfin Films is the joint partnership of Lindsey Davidson and Melissa Salpietra. Both former students of Otago University's Natural History and Filmmaking Program, Lindsey and Melissa started production on their 24-minute film LONGFIN in October 2005. This film centers on the life of an endemic New Zealand Longfinned Eel. Melissa and Lindsey spent six months travelling around the South Island of New Zealand filming eels, and the people who are involved with them.

Protect the Mokihinui River Campaign

Our native freshwater fish are threatened by over fishing and habitat destruction from pollution, obstruction and development. Hydro dams cause enormous damage to the habitat of our native fish, most of which migrate up and down rivers as part of their breeding cycle. That is why we want to stop Meridian Energy from building an 85m dam on the Mokihinui River in Buller.



Metiria on the Mokihinui River




The Mokihinui River is NZ's seventh most significant river for its biodiversity values. It is home to 12 species of native fish including the chronically endangered Longfin eel. Hundreds of thousands of longfin live in this river and they will be disastrously affected by
the planned construction of a 85m high dam and the drowning of 330 hec of native podacarp rain forest. The dam will prevent the eels and other native fish migrating to sea to breed and the elvers returning to the upper reaches of the river where they live and mature.

Metiria rafted down the river to see first hand what was planned to be drowned under a massive artificial lake. She saw the wilderness landscape, drank the clean pristine water and saw the habitat of the whio (blue duck) which will be destroyed. An eel even came to visit while she and the other ecologists, rafters, kayakers and environmentalists were having lunch.

Metiria questioned the Minister of Conservation about the proposal. She also questioned the Minister about Meridians secret Landcare report that showed that the impacts of the dam could not be mitigated.
Meridian had refused to release the report until they were forced to under the Official Information Act.

Find out more about this campaign and join us in protecting this beautiful river and endangered species that call it home.