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Story: Te hopu tuna – eeling

Pā auroa eel weir

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Pā auroa eel weir

The auroa eel weir was used in the Whanganui River. As eels swam along, the fence (left) guided them into a net attached to the last fence post and a post opposite, then into the hīnaki (eel pot).

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Reference: T. W. Downes, ‘Notes on eels and eel-weirs (tuna and pa-tuna).’ Transactions and proceedings of the Royal Institute of New Zealand 50 (1918). Wellington: Govt. Printing Office, pp. 296-316.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Te hopu tuna – eeling – Pā tuna – eel weirs, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/13972/pa-auroa-eel-weir (accessed 20 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 March 2009.