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Pātiki

A pātiki (flounder) fish caught in a net.

There are several different species of pātiki (flounder) including:

  • pātiki – sand flounder

  • pātiki mohoao – black flounder

  • pātiki tōtara – yellow-belly flounder

Pātiki belong to the flatfish family and can be found in the shallow surf and estuaries around the coast of Aotearoa. Pātiki mohoao are the only truly freshwater species of the family. 

Harvesting pātaki includes using techniques such as spearing and nets.

Declining water quality is impacting pātiki populations and harvesting.

Related resources

Ngāi Tahu  Mahinga Kai video

  • Pātiki – featuring Don Brown who lives by Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere – Te Kete Ika a Rākaihautū/The Fish Basket of Rākaihautū

  • Download a PDF of the video transcript here

Articles

  • Pātiki – NIWA 

  • Pātiki mohoao – black flounder – NIWA and Te Wai Māori

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

Glossary

Rights: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu 
Published: 31 August 2022Size: 2.01 MB
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