Kanakana

Kanakana (Geotria australis) are an ancient and unusual species. They look a little like tuna but are jawless, instead using a sucker-like mouth to attach to and parasitise fish and whales.

Commonly known as piharau in the North Island, kanakana are harvested using a variety of methods. These include: 

• harvesting by hand

• using poles and rapu – sticks with hooks at the end

• using hīnaki nets

• pā kanakana – wooden weirs

• whakaparu piharau – stone weirs

• paipai – barriers made with small branches or a mat made of bracken. 

Whakataukī

Ka kitea a Matariki, ka rere te korokoro
(When Matariki is seen, the lamprey migrate)
Keane (2010)

He manawa piharau
(to have great stamina or endurance)
From Taranaki

Related resources

Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai video

• Kanakana – featuring the Blair whānau from Murihiku

• Download a PDF of the video transcript here

Articles

• Piharau/kanakana – lamprey – NIWA and Te Wai Māori

• One with the environment – Sciblogs Mātau Taiao

• Kanakana Harvest Mātauranga: Potential Tools to Monitor Population Trends on the Waikawa River, Southland/Murihiku – project report by Dr Jane Kitson

• Understanding Tāonga Freshwater Fish Populations in Aotearoa New Zealand – NIWA and Te Wai Māori

• Understanding the ugly yet noble piharau – The Spinoff