Both species of New Zealand freshwater eels (the shortfinned eel Angui
lla australis and the longfinned eel A. dieffenbachii) are widespread
and abundant, supporting Important commercial and recreational fisheri
es. This article reviews growth studies from 35 widely distributed sit
es throughout New Zealand and discusses factors that influence growth
rates. Length at given age is characterized by high intra- and inter-p
opulation variability; growth rates for eels >30 cm are typically slow
(2-3 cm per gear) and linear, with females generally growing faster t
han males. Water temperature affects the length of the growing season,
although growth rates are not correlated with latitude. Other factors
suggested as affecting growth rates are eel density, quantity and qua
lity of food, and interactions between both eel species. Although grow
th of some New Zealand eel populations is the slowest recorded for any
species of Anguilla, growth in culture can be rapid, similar to that
of other temperate eel species.