Whale watching in New Zealand facts for kids
Whale watching in New Zealand is a popular activity. It mostly happens around Kaikōura and the Hauraki Gulf. Kaikōura is known as the 'whale capital'. It is famous for sperm whales. These are the most common large whales in New Zealand's waters.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is near Auckland city. It is also a great place to see whales. You can often spot Bryde's Whales there. Other sea creatures like Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Orca are also seen. Some tours combine whale and dolphin watching. Scientists also watch whales from land. They use old whaling stations for research.
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Why Whale Watching is Important
Many places used to hunt whales. New Zealand stopped whaling in 1964. This was because there were not enough whales left to make it profitable. New Zealand was the first country to protect all marine mammals by law in 1978.
Kaikōura shows how whale watching can help a town. It brings in tourists and money. Other groups, like Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, also help. They combine tours with scientific research. This helps protect whales. In the past, whale numbers dropped a lot due to too much hunting. This made people think Kaikōura was the only place to see whales. They also thought sperm whales were the only species to see.
Whale Watching in the Hauraki Gulf
The Hauraki Gulf is a very rich marine area. It has many types of sea animals. You can often see Bryde's whales, Killer whales (Orca), Common Dolphins, and Bottlenose Dolphins here.
The main whale watching company in Auckland is Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. They leave from the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland. They offer daily trips into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. These trips depend on the weather.
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People on a boat watching a Bryde's Whale up close.
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A Bryde's Whale feeding at the surface in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
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Orca (Killer Whales) are often seen close to Auckland city.
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A Bryde's Whale swims near a whale watching boat in Auckland.
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A group of Orca (Killer Whales) swimming past Rangitoto Island.
Whale Watching in Kaikōura
The sea around Kaikōura is full of amazing sea life. The town earns a lot of money from tourists. These visitors come to watch whales and swim with dolphins. Whale watching in Kaikōura has grown very fast. It is now one of the best places in the world for it.
Whale Watch Kaikōura is the main group there. It is a charity. About 100,000 visitors go out on their boats each year. They started in 1987 with a small boat. You can also watch whales from the air. Companies like Wings over Whales offer tourist flights. They use the Kaikoura Aerodrome for these flights.
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The Kaikoura whale watch centre.
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A Sperm whale eating a fish off Kaikoura. This is not common behavior.
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Whale watching from a plane, with the Kaikōura Peninsula in the background.
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The tail fin of a sperm whale.
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A whale watch boat and a whale.
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Tory Channel Whale Research
New Zealand's last whaling station was in Whekenui Bay. This was in Tory Channel. The tall cliffs there are perfect for watching whales from land. During the time whales migrate, people watch for them. They do this for research. Many of the people helping are former whalers. This area was also where the first Southern right whale was seen on the main islands after whaling stopped. You can also see whales and dolphins in places like Waikawa, Picton, and Abel Tasman National Park.
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