This study was initiated in partnership with hapū/iwi to assess the status of eel populations in selected Waikato hydro-reservoirs and tributaries. Eel populations have increased in the hydro-reservoirs and tributaries since elver trap-and-transfer operations began. Longfins were more widely distributed than shortfins in tributaries, but small shortfins dominated catches from hydro-reservoirs. Eel growth rates in the hydro-reservoirs were variable but have declined over the last two decades