Statement from Chair Sophie Siers on tuna (eel) deaths

Published: 15 January 2026

We were alerted late on Monday 12 January to reports of a number of tuna (eel) deaths in the Waiatai Stream near Wairoa. This is a very concerning situation, and we understand the worry and distress it’s causing the local community. I want to assure them these reports are being taken seriously.

Multiple teams visited the site on Tuesday 13 January to carry out an initial assessment, and they have since completed a detailed search of the surrounding area. We believe several kilometres of the stream could be affected. It’s hard to know the true extent because dead fish can be carried downstream, so where they are found doesn’t necessarily show where the issue started or how much of the stream has been impacted.

We are keeping an open mind, but at this early stage, we believe the fish deaths are likely the result of several factors coming together. Extreme heat, like that experienced in Hawke’s Bay on Sunday 11 January, can put significant stress on aquatic ecosystems, and events like this often happen when multiple pressures coincide. Often, there isn’t just one single cause; different pressures can come together to create a perfect storm.

However, multiple water samples have been taken and are currently being tested for a range of possible contaminants. The eels are also undergoing post-mortem examinations to help determine the cause of death. Until those results are received and analysed, it is too early to understand contributing factors to the event. We expect initial results to be available in the next two weeks.

We remain committed to keeping mana whenua and the wider community informed as more information becomes available. As Chair, I am in regular contact with Mayor Little and his team.

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