Ling (Genypterus blacodes), or hokarari of the Maoris, grows up to 4 ft in length, with a weight of up to 30 lb, and looks just like a giant tadpole. The colour is reddish-purple, marbled and speckled in darker shades, and fading to pinkish below. The ling is very abundant in deep water from Cook Strait southwards. It is a good food fish, but not popular for some unaccountable reason.
by Arthur William Baden Powell, Assistant Director, Auckland Institute and Museum.