The 30-kilometre drive, on sealed roads, includes several stops with short, easy walks. The trust said the “Tuna Hikoi”, or “Eel Journey” will help families explore the district, learn about native eels and their habitats, and compete for prizes. There were two species of eel, longfin and shortfin. The tuna hold special significance for Ngāti Apakura, as kuia Hazel Wander explained. ”Apakura was a tohunga of the tuna, and so tuna are part of our identity. Paul Gay/Stuff “The wetlands are crucial for the survival of the tuna. “When the tuna are healthy, we know the water is healthy, and that’s a good environmental indicator for us to look for.”