15 Jun 2025

Great Kaikōura Whale Count at 51 at midpoint of annual survey

9:57 pm on 15 June 2025
The annual count, which is run by the The Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute, tracks whales as they swim past the Kaikōura coastline.

The annual count tracks whales as they swim past the Kaikōura coastline. Photo: Supplied

So far this year, 51 humpback whales have been spotted in the The Great Kaikōura Whale Count.

The annual count, which is run by the The Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute, tracks whales as they swim past the Kaikōura coastline.

The count is currently midway through and will run until the end of June.

Alongside the humpback whales Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute director Dr Jody Weir said throughout the count so far they had also seen several sperm whales, orca and a southern right whale.

Weir said this year they had 62 volunteers take part and more than 90 visitors at the spotting hill from which they had predominately tracked the whales.

Sunday had been a great midpoint day for the count, she said.

They had also had a family fun day running, where families had been able to enjoy whale and dolphin crafts, a bouncy castle and mini golf.

They also had a family fun day running, where families could enjoy whale and dolphin crafts, a bouncy castle and mini golf. Photo: Supplied

"Today in the first five minutes we already had five humpbacks recorded from the spotting hill, so quite remarkable."

They had also had a family fun day running, where families could enjoy whale and dolphin crafts, a bouncy castle and mini golf.

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