The Whitebaiters

An N.Z.B.C. documentary on West Coast whitebaiting, produced by Alwyn Owen and narrated by Ian Johnstone.

The season opens on 01 September. Garnie [?] Howell explains the lifecycle of the inanga; Dan Greaney talks about the different types of people who are attracted to whitebaiting, and notes he feels they are being overfished.
Police constable "Blue" Burslem explains teh challenges of policing ont he Coast during whitebait season.
On the Waitaha River, "Ivan" and Mrs Knowle describe building a hut and another whitebaiter describes his caravan.
A woman explains her net and how it works. Whitebaiters chat over tea in a hut during wet weather. Mrs "Grannie" Coleman describes putting in her net. She caught ten kerosene tins worth over $400.

There can be unpleasantness among competing whitebaiters especially whennewcomers arrive, but there is camaraderie among older fishers. Actuality of a card game and beer session in a hut on the Arawata River durng a storm.
Whitebait buyer Eileen Nolan is heard visiting the camp of Mr Newcomb after a flood, in which he lost his stand. Negotiations are carried out for kerosene tins of whitebait.