Do we get Barracuda  in New Zealand waters?   People often report catching them, but I suspect in the vast majority of cases the people actually caught Barracouta.

So do we get them, or are they all just misidentified Barracouta ? 

I thought because Mahi mahi and other sub tropical species (including a few sea snakes) drift down here over summer, a few Barracuda might also follow the warm currents down and get caught.   

the odd one have been seen by divers Thomas....
mainly around the Poor Knights...
Wahoo have also be seen...
i think a lot more have bitten a few lures off as well but we will never know...
had a Amber Jack caught at Gt Barrier...

This one occured in Whangaroa Harbour.... until Wednesday last week.

shame we don't get them here, theyre bloody good eating. good topwater sport too

Any more news on this Herby?

I think the guy in my story above referred to them as sea pike too.. from memory 

We do get barracuda in New Zealand though they are not often reported. I should start off by saying I am not an expert but in our collection at Te Papa we have around 20 specimens of what we are calling Sphyraena acutipinnis. These specimens have mainly been collected from in shore waters around the upper north island on the east coast as far south as the bay of plenty. The one Herby posted above is probably an example of one but it needs to be examined more carefully to confirm this. We also have a specimen of Sphyraena putnamae caught off the Coromandel and we have been shown a video of what perhaps is another species again. We would be very keen for any specimens caught.