Mahinga kai/mahika kai
Do you have kereru in your kōwhai? Tuna (eels) in your drain?
There is a term for these treasures and the habitats that support them – in Māori, it is mahinga kai/mahika kai.
Mahinga kai/mahika kai is about the value of natural resources that sustain life, including the life of people. It is important to manage and protect these resources, in the same way that ancestors have done before us.
For Ngāi Tahu, it is critical to manage these resources to allow people to continue gathering kai (food) in the way the ancestors did, and about mana and manaakitanga - the ability to welcome and host visitors by providing bountiful produce, as a demonstration of hospitality and respect. These things are the essence of kaitiakitanga, or what many people today call guardianship.
This practice remains a foundation of Ngāi Tahu values today, although it has become increasingly difficult as sites, species, and habitats are lost, degraded, or compromised.
'Te toto o te tangata, he kai; te oranga o te tangata, he whenua'- Food supplies the blood of the people; their welfare depends on the land
These days, we are all custodians of the land and the resources they contain. What we do in our own backyards helps to protect and enhance our environment, as Ngāi Tahu tūpuna, or ancestors, did before us.
There is something special about providing the best environment for these mahinga kai treasures, and watching them do well.
Mahinga kai/mahika kai literally means 'to work the food’ and relates to the traditional value of food resources and their ecosystems, as well as the practices involved in producing, procuring, and protecting these resources.
Mahinga kai/mahika kai is about living and connecting in this world. For Ngai Tahu, it is about thriving and maintaining those things that sustain and nourish us, and that bring us wellbeing – clean water, clean air, clean soil, and sufficient shelter. It includes access to clean and healthy kai, and doing this in a sustainable way, considering our future generations.
Watch these videos to help understand the ongoing importance of mahinga kai/mahika kai to Ngāi Tahu people.
'Ka hāhā te tuna ki te roto; ka hāhā te reo ke te kaika; ka hāhā te takata ki te whenua' - If there is no tuna (eels) in the lake; there will be no language or culture resounding in the home; and no people on the land; however, if there are tuna in the lake; language and culture will thrive; and the people will live proudly on the land - Nā Charisma Rangipuna i tuhi
Mahinga kai/mahika kai areas are likely to be those special areas on a property that are already been actively taken care of for their environmental or biodiversity significance - but it could also be for things that you were not aware of - the small and little things.
Mahinga kai/mahika kai refers to numerous species and inter-relationships rather than something specific. It includes things such as species, natural habitats, materials and practices used for harvesting food, and places where food or resources are, or were, gathered.
'Toitū te marae o Tāne; toitū te marae Tangaroa; toitū te iwi' - If the forests of Tāne are protected; and the oceans of Tangaroa are protected; so too are the people.
EVERYONE has a part to play in protecting and enhancing mahinga kai/mahika kai, as an important part of sustainable environmental management. Looking after mahinga kai/mahika kai sits alongside ecosystem health and biodiversity as an essential environmental objective in our region.
FARMERS who require land use consents to farm now also have a new responsibility to address mahinga kai/mahika kai. They need to be aware of the mahinga kai/mahika kai values and risks on farm, and address these when applying Industry-agreed Good Management Practices. This will include actions such as:
- Protecting mahinga kai/mahika kai species and habitats when waterways are managed or cleared;
- Sustaining mahinga kai/mahika kai through management of remnant native vegetation and wetlands.
Listen to the Radio NZ story where Environment Canterbury's Mananui Ramsden (Pou Mātai Kō – Facilitating an Understanding of Mahinga Kai) and Environment Canterbury Ranger Makarini Rupene talk about mahinga kai/mahika kai with Leeston farmer Carey Barnett.
More information on mahinga kai/mahika kai and new farmer responsibilities.
Mahinga kai/mahika kai species guide
To help, the species guide below highlights many of the mahinga kai/mahika kai that are found in and around Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), including those associated with lowland streams, drains, wetlands and on farms. Many of these can also be found right across the region.
Pūtakitaki | Paradise Duck Male
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains, wetland, farmland & ponds Status: Not threatened

Pūtakitaki | Paradise Duck Female
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains; wetland; farm pondsStatus: Not Threatened

Tataa | Shoveler/Spoony
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains; wetland farmland & pondsStatus: Not Threatened

Karoro | Black-backed gull
Habitat: Lake; coast; farmland & pondsStatus: Not Threatened
Tara | Caspian Tern
Habitat: Lake; coastStatus: Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
Kakī nui/Kakī anu | Black Swan
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains; wetland; farmland & pondsStatus: Not Threatened

Pākura/Pūkeko | Swamp Hen
Habitat: Lake; rivers & drains; wetland; farmland & pondsStatus: Not Threatened

Kōau/Kawau | Black Shag
Habitat: Lake; near coast; the occasional visitor to other areasStatus: Naturally uncommon-Not Threatened

Koau/Kawau | Pied Shag
Habitat: Lake; near coast the occasional visitor to other areasStatus: Not Threatened

Tuna | Longfin eel
Habitat: Lake, rivers & drains, penetrating well inlandStatus: At Risk-Declining
Tuna/Hao | Shortfin eel
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains; primarily in lowland areaStatus: Not Threatened

Kanakana/Piharau | Lamprey
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains; predominantly lowland coastalStatus: Threatened-Nationally Vulnerable

Kēwai/Waikōura | Freshwater Crayfish
Habitat: Rivers & drains, ponds & lakesStatus: At Risk Declining, rare in Canterbury

Kākahi | Freshwater Mussel
Habitat: Lake, rivers & drains, in substrateStatus: At Risk-Declining
Paraki | Smelt
Habitat:Lake & rivers, typically coastal but also associated with larger lakesStatus:Not Threatened

Mata | Whitebait
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drain, predominantly coastal or associated with large lakesStatus: Threat status species dependant

Īnanga/Īnaka | Adults Whitebait
Habitat: Lake, rivers & drains, hāpua, in lowland areas close to the coastStatus: At Risk-Declining

Kōaro | Galaxias brevipinnis
Habitat: Lake; rivers & drains; penetrates well inland; accomplished climberStatus: At-Risk Declining

Kōkopu | Banded Kōkopu
Habitat: Lake; rivers & drains, penetrates well inlandStatus: Not threatened, rare in Canterbury

Taiwharu | Giant Kōkopu
Habitat: Lake, rivers & drainsStatus: At Risk-declining, rare in Canterbury

Māruru | Giant Bully
Habitat: Rivers & drains; predominantly coastal and lowlandStatus: Not Threatened

Koukoupara | Upland Bully
Habitat: Rivers & drains; non-migratory and occurs well inlandStatus: Not Threatened

Wiwi | Knobby club rush
Habitat: Coast, dunesStatus: Not Threatened
Kapungawha | Lake club rush
Habitat: Lakes, wetlandStatus: Not Threatened

Koromiko | Hebe
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, rivers & farmsStatus: Not Threatened/NTCSA Taonga Species

Akeake | Dodonea viscosa
Habitat: Lake; rivers & drains; wetlands; farm, coastStatus: Not Threatened

Ngaio | Myoporum laetum
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains, wetlands, farm, coastStatus: Not Threatened

Karamū | Coprosma robusta
Habitat: Lakes, rivers & drains, wetlands, farm, coastStatus: Not Threatened

Makaka | Saltmarsh Ribbonwood
Habitat: Lakes, wetlands, farmsStatus: Not Threatened

Mānuka | NZ Tea Tree
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, drains, farmsStatus: Not Threatened/NTCSA Taonga Species

Kahikatea | White Pine
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, rivers & farmsStatus: Not Threatened/NTCSA Taonga Species

Pōkākā | Elaeocarpus hookerianus
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, rivers & farmsStatus: Not Threatened/NTCSA Taonga Species

Tāwhiri | Pittosporum
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, wetlands, rivers & farmsStatus: Not Threatened/NTCSA Taonga Species

Mikimiki | Coprosma Propinqua
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, drains, wetlands & farmsStatus: Not Threatened/Important to Ngāi Tahu
