LANDSCAPE: THE MUTTON BIRDERS

Māori from Rakiura, Stewart Island, have hunted the muttonbird here for centuries. In June,1864 the sale granted continuing rights for Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe and their descendants to hunt the muttonbird.

At the turn of the century several disputes arose due to outside Māori wanting to hunt the muttonbird. The case was put before the Native Land Court in 1922 and the situation was clarified.

Mutton bird Islands or Titi Islands were divided into two groups. The first were beneficial islands to be visited only by the descendants of the original owners, the second group were called Crown Islands set aside for Rakiura Māori who could not prove direct descent. Today it is administered by the Lands and Survey Dept. An annual meeting is held to appoint mutton birders to supervise the muttonbird season and to grant permits to those going to Crown Islands.

Present descendants annually make this trip by motor vessel in order to catch and preserve the muttonbird. This documentary shows a way of life during their stay on the islands and the methods used for catching and preserving muttonbirds.

Peter [Tope] a direct descendant of one of the original owners of Big South Cape Island demonstrates his skills in catching the muttonbird at night. When the birds leave, so do the men and their families, until the following year when once more the muttonbird returns to this remote and only breeding ground in the world.