For the Māori tribes of the Whanganui River, the river was vitally important for transport, food and spiritual wellbeing. Māori caught eels by building ingenious eel weirs in the river -- but these structures were removed by European settlers to allow access for steamboats. Boat trips up the river became popular with tourists in the late 19th century.
Whanganui River,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui...
'New Zealand's great scenic river' poster, http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui...
Whanganui tribes,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui...
Three-fence eel weir,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/te-hopu-t...
Te hopu tuna -- eeling,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/te-hopu-t...
Whanganui or Wanganui?, http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui...
Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR5112).
—
Roadside Stories are a series of audio guides to places of interest on major road trips in New Zealand. Each guide tells the story of an attraction along the way -- its people, its history, its cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/
