Mid Canterbury has always been a place shaped by its rivers, lakes, and wide open spaces. Long before roads and towns, Māori travelled through the Hakatere region using ancient trails (ara tawhito) following the seasons and the land’s natural rhythm. These paths connected communities and led to places rich in food, stone, and shelter. The people of Hāwea, Rapuwai, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu lived closely with the land, setting up camps near rivers and lakes to gather what they needed.

One of the most special resources here is the tuna, the New Zealand eel. Found in cool, shaded waters across the region, tuna are a big part of local Māori tradition and a sign of healthy waterways. Longfin eels, unique to Aotearoa, live far inland and can grow impressively large. Shortfin eels stick closer to the coast. Both are important — not just as food, but as part of the story of this place.

Today, eels face challenges like pollution, habitat loss, and blocked migration paths. Simple things help: keeping stock out of waterways, planting native plants along the banks, and not dumping rubbish. It’s about looking after the land and the life it supports, like people have done here for generations.

Take a moment to walk the trails, watch the rivers, and feel the quiet strength of this place. It’s all connected.