The hāpuku, hapuka or whapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios), also known as groper, is a wreckfish of the family Polyprionidae, found around southern Australia, southern South America, South Africa, Tristan da Cunha and New Zealand at depths between 30 and 800 m. Its length is between 60 and 180 cm, and it can weigh up to 100 kg.

Its lower jaw protrudes from the top, and their very large eyes are adapted for hunting and inhabiting low-light conditions.

[8] In the 21st century, hāpuku are a highly rated eating fish, reaching top value on both the local and international markets.

Currently, no size restriction in New Zealand is in place, but a bag limit of five fish per day exists.

In Europe, a very similar species of wreckfish is highly prized and considered a local delicacy.

Each tank has its own controlled environment which is designed to maintain the optimum temperature and light for natural spawning.

These early on-growing trials and results are revealing considerable growth potential in aquaculture for this species.

NIWA's aim is to maintain the competitive edge for hāpuku farming as it increases, and become an important species for New Zealand's aquaculture sector.