Kaikoura and Whale Watching
With a population of approximately 3,200 residents, Kaikoura township is
located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the
mountains.In the waters off the
peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for
marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for getting 'close to
nature'. A town with its own fascinating history, archaeological remains
indicate that Moa Hunters inhabited the peninsula 900 years ago.In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the
Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished-up' the North
Island. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to 'meal of crayfish'
(Kai - food, koura - crayfish), and it is crayfish for which the region has
traditionally been famous.The area's
abundant food sources attracted Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa
sites can still be seen on the peninsula to this day.
In 1770 Captain Cook first discovered the Kaikoura peninsula, believing
it to be an island.The first shore
whaling station was established in 1843, located near where Fyffe House still
stands today. Other whaling stations soon followed, and at one stage the
industry employed over one hundred men in the Kaikoura district alone.Whale numbers steadily declined after 1850 and the exportation of them became
un-economic, leading whalers to turn to alternative means of existence, such as
farming. Whaling continued sporadically until as recently as 1964 when the last
of NZ' s whaling operations ceased.
Today, the emphasis in Kaikoura is the conservation of marine life,
working with a sustainable tourist industry which allows visitors from all over
the world to appreciate life in the ocean. In 1978, the Marine Mammal
Protection Act was finally passed, providing total protection to New Zealand’s
whales, dolphins and seals.Kaikoura
lies within the Southern Hemisphere Whale Sanctuary. Several different species of whale can be seen
off Kaikoura at different times of the year, but almost always the huge Sperm
Whales. Flukes lifting clear at the start of the deep dive, adolescent male
Sperm Whales enjoy the rich diet of the Kaikoura waters while building up their
strength to move to the mating grounds of the warm north. Regularly diving to
depths of one kilometre, Sperm Whales have been known to dive to 3 kilometres,
holding their breath for up to two hours - perhaps gulping down a few groper or
wrestling with a giant squid.
The clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and
schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors.And everywhere the fun loving Dusky
Dolphin.Fur seals, once almost hunted
to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights
fishing.Seabirds, also enjoying the
rich sea harvest, are abundant.
Off the Kaikoura coastline is a marine environment so rich in nutrients
that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our
planet. Among them are Giant Sperm Whales that can grow up to 20 metres and
weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one
of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. In addition to the
sperm whale a number of different species of may also be seen, depending on the
season, as they follow their migratory route. This unique marine experience
also provides an opportunity to sight high-spirited Dusky Dolphins, the rare
and endangered Hectors Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seals and a wide variety of sea
birds including the Royal Albatross.
Whale watching in New Zealand really
brings one word to mind: Kaikoura. There are a host of places where dolphins
can be seen, but to see whales, head to Kaikoura. The unique geography of the
Kaikoura area, a series of very deep trenches just off the coast known as the
Kaikoura canyon, provides a perfect environment for some key whale a dolphin
prey species, including giant squid.
Sperm whales are the most common and visible species, and you are almost
guaranteed to see one at anytime of the year, with the best months being in the
summer (December to March). Orca are often seen too, feeding on the large pods
of dusky and common dolphins that are resident all year. Other whales
occasionally seen include Humpback and Pilot whales, and very occasional
sightings of Cuviers Beaked, Southern Right and even giant Blue whales. As well
as boat based tours, whales can be seen from the air, from either light
aircraft or helicopters. This is a spectacular way to see the whales, and gives
a great perspective. It is also possible to sea Kayak from Kaikoura which can
be very exciting, but is more dependent on the weather.
Kaikoura's resident Sperm Whales are the biggest
of the toothed whales and the worlds' largest carnivore. They are equivalent in
size to four elephants. Each of their teeth can weigh more than a kilogram and
grow to 20cm long. Sperm Whales dive 2km into the dark abyss of the Kaikoura
Canyon to hunt prey such as the Giant Squid. Many of Kaikoura's Sperm Whales
wear battle scars from close encounters with this monster of the deep. Kaikoura's resident Sperm Whales are the largest living carnivore - equivalent
in size to four elephants.
Dolphins are also a major draw at Kaikoura, and this is one of the best places
in the world to “swim with dolphins”. If you imagined that you will be swimming
around leisurely spotting the dolphins as they swim below you, think again.
This is the dolphins’ home environment, and if they want to come and see you,
they will. Sometimes your best bet is to sing/groan/hum and if you hit the
right note, you will suddenly become aware that you are not alone. On a good
day the dolphins will swim around you, under you, upside down beneath you and
they will even jump over you. Just as you begin to get used to it, they will disappear, and they will come and go
at their whim.
Even if you don’t feel like the swim, boat based viewing can be very rewarding
as you have a great chance of seeing the playful dusky dolphins, as well as
possible sightings of Common and the rare Hectors dolphins (Strictly speaking,
both Killer and Pilot whales are actually dolphins too).
Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant
Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale
Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the
endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see
migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.
Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the
world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts the largest
concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13
species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.
Sustainable Tourism
Whale Watch is committed to providing a
quality whale watching experience while carefully managing the use of a rare
natural resource. We are visitors to the world of the whales and respect it as
such at all times. As a Maori-owned company, Whale Watch cherishes the twin
values of hospitality to visitors and reverence for the natural world. It is a
philosophy that embraces people, the land, the sea and all living things as one.
Perhaps this is why so many of our visitors tell us our tours provide them with
a spiritual experience.
Since arriving in the Kaikoura area in 850AD,
Ngai Tahu have formed a sustainable relationship with Kaikoura's entire
ecosystem including the marine ecosystem that maintains the whales in their
natural environment. Nothing within that sustainable philosophy will allow Ngai
Tahu to harm this ecosystem that keeps the whales close to Kaikoura. For dozens
of generations over many centuries this view of life has been fundamental to our
ancestors. There must always be enough - more than enough - to sustain life in
its entire spiritual and physical sense. Thus for Ngai Tahu and Whale Watch, the
word 'sustainable' has both a physical and spiritual meaning. It goes to the
heart and soul of being Maori. It is a core principle of the whale watching
experience we share with our visitors. Ngai Tahu have lived with whales for over
1000 years. We intend to live with them for another 1000 years.
All Whale
Watch vessels are specially designed for whale watching. Our modern catamarans
are powered by inboard diesel engines and equipped with Hamilton propulsion
units that minimise underwater noise. All on-board toilets are self contained
and never allowed to pollute the sea.
Detailed records are kept for each
trip, covering personalised identification of every whale seen, its location and
any unusual whale behaviour. This information is part of the on-going
contribution to scientific research by Whale Watch. Some Sperm Whales that visit
Kaikoura regularly appear to recognise and trust the Whale Watch boats and do
not mind being approached. New whales, though, prefer the boats to keep further
away. Whale Watch skippers recognise individual whales and adjust operations to
suit each whale.
Whale Watch is proud of their many awards that recognise
their commitment to the preservation of the environment. Whale Watch Executive
Chairman Wally Stone says, "Whale Watch isn't about to do anything which will
adversely affect the whales that provide year-round income - or drive them from
the coast. We have the most to lose, so we won't be doing anything to jeopardise
the whales in our waters."
Whale Watch is a staunch ally of the marine
conservation movement. Wally Stone points to the support Whale Watch gives to
the ongoing international fight to protect whales from a renewal of commercial
killing and the resumption of trade in whale products. Japan and Norway continue
to vigorously lobby members of the International Whaling Commission to
re-introduce commercial whaling. Both nations still take hundreds of whales each
year for "scientific purposes" when in fact the whale meat ends up in fish
markets. Wally Stone says the Whale Watch '"experience" sends a powerful message
to those who wish to slaughter whales. "We see our business as reinforcing the
anti-industrial whaling message. This in turn reinforces whale preservation, the
Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary and the whale protection stances adopted by many
members of the International Whaling Commission."
It remains a sad fact
that the very same whales seen aboard Whale Watch tours may be killed by
commercial whalers once outside New Zealand waters.
(Information: Kaikoura.co.nz and Whale Watch Kaikoura: www.whalewatch.co.nz)
