Introducing Our New Kanakana Kete – Restoring Waterways for a Taonga Species 360 Million Years in the Making
- Natalie Jessup
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Today we’re excited to launch our new kanakana sign and resources, created in collaboration with Hokonui Rūnanga as part of the Awhi Awa Kete!
Kanakana are a taonga species for many iwi, including Ngāi Tahu, and a living sign of healthy waterways. These fascinating, jawless fish are older than the dinosaurs – part of an ancient lineage that has survived for more than 360 million years.
What makes kanakana so unique?
They have no jaws, no bones, and no scales.
They live for years buried in riverbeds before migrating to the ocean.
They return home to spawn, completing an extraordinary life cycle.
Why do they matter? Kanakana are deeply treasured by Māori, with cultural practices such as hand-gathering and weirs showing the strong bond between people and freshwater life. But today, they are nationally vulnerable, threatened by pollution, habitat loss, migration barriers like dams, and disease.
This new kete is both a celebration of this taonga species, and a call to action. Every kete ordered includes: 💙Information on how to awhi an awa and embrace a stream. 🐟Education material about kanakana
💻Presentation for teachers, businesses and community groups to share with people about the project. 💧How drain systems work, and why we need to restore the health of our waterways. 📝Education modules (4) for classrooms. 🪧Signage made of scrap steel. 🪛Concrete drill and screws. 📽️Video on how to apply signage. 📰Subscription to our newsletter and updates on endangered species and the health of our waterways.
Together with the Hokonui Rūnanga, who are leading vital restoration mahi in Southland – from riparian planting to monitoring and captive breeding – we’re helping communities, kura, ECEs, and businesses learn, share, and protect.
💚 Order your Awhi Awa Kete today and be part of ensuring kanakana remain part of Aotearoa’s future:
