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Story: Coastal fish

Kahawai catch

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Kahawai catch

These children at Queens Wharf in Wellington are proudly displaying their catch of kahawai (Arripis trutta). Kahawai are one of the most commonly seen and caught coastal fish. They are fast-swimming carnivores that prey on small fish and crustaceans. They make excellent eating if they are bled and cooked when still fresh.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)

Reference: EP/1999/2875/32

by Ross Giblin

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Coastal fish – Coastal predatory open-water fish, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8818/kahawai-catch (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.