The tuna heke commenced on 1 February. The lake is a customary lake and only those of Kāi Tahu descent can hold a permit.
A permit is required if you are fishing for more than six tuna. Permits can be arranged via the Wairewa Rūnanga office, call 03 377 1513 or email: [email protected] and the permits can be picked up from Rehua Marae (top floor) between 9-4.30pm, Monday-Friday.
Permits will last one week, with a maximum of 200 tuna allowed per person for the tuna season. Permits can be issued in advance, so you can plan ahead and get a permit for the week you plan to go fishing. Only one permit will be issued at a time, and if no catch returns are provided, no new permit will be issued. Nāhaku noa, nā Wairewa Tangata Tiaki: Robin Wybrow, Rei Simon, Theo Bunker, Iaean Cranwell and Wayne Robinson.
Kawa of the drains
Wairewa Rūnanga is the recognised kaitiaki of Te Roto o Wairewa and the tangata tiaki are their gazetted representatives. We are trying to restore the customary fishery and our traditions around the lake:
- Limit of 200 eels only per person for the year
- If fishing for a marae, a permit for 100 eels may be issued
- If fishing for kaumātua, a permit of 10 eels may be issued
- Permit must be held while fishing
- Permits will be available from our office if enough notice is given or from the tangata tiaki
- No catch returns, no more permits, no excuses
- No fishing in canal
- Fishing in drains only (no tubbing)
- This is a customary fishery (no sale of eels)
- Help to prepare drains
- No walking in the drains
- No crossing or bridging drains
- Only take as many as you can clean and process
- The season is from February to April only
- Catch tally must be returned to tangata tiaki who signed it before next permit will be issued
- Have consideration for others while using lights
- Keep noise to a minimum at all times
- Season ends on drains when big females arrive or when tangata tiaki decide. No more permits will issued after this date. Lake likely to be opened at this time
- If fishery continues to decline we may have to consider a rāhui and or bylaws
- If kawa is broken or not followed, bylaws under the mātaitai may be implemented
- No alcohol, drugs or food to be consumed at the drains
- No urinating in or near drains
- No hīnaki or any other form of trap or net is permitted
- Share the drains.
Smoked tuna.
Tuna being hung to dry.
The drain to Te Roto o Wairewa.