Humpback whales

Humpback whale flukes as seen during the Cook Strait whale survey. Photo: Helen McConnell.

Humpback whale flukes as seen during the Cook Strait whale survey

Humpback whales are easy to identify and are well known for their spectacular breaching and beautiful, complex songs.  Humpbacks have wide-ranging but distinctly seasonal distributions. Southern Ocean humpbacks migrate thousands of kilometres between high-latitude summer feeding grounds and low-latitude winter breeding and calving grounds.
Humpback whale seen during the Cook Strait whale survey. Photo: Simon Childerhouse.

Facts about the humpback whale

Did you know humpbacks are frequent visitors to the coastal waters of New Zealand? Learn more about this species.

Killer whales.

Threats to the humpback whale

Present day threats to humpback whales include entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with ships.

Nadine Bott setting up a theodolite at the lookout during a whale survey. Photo: Simon Childerhouse.

DOC's work with the humpback whale

Find out about DOC's humpback whale conservation activities.

Ex-whalers looking for whales as part of a survey. Photo: Simon Childerhouse.

You can help the humpback whale

In this section learn about the ways you can work to protect humpback whales.

Highlights:

Image from the Meet the Locals - Whale watching video. Image copyright: TVNZ.

Whale watching video

New Zealand stopped whaling in 1964 when the last whaling station in Cook Strait closed. In this video you'll meet the ex-whalers who now use their skills to help protect whales.

Humpback whale. Photo: Trevor Jordan.

Humpback whale count on again in Cook Strait

Department of Conservation researchers and former whalers are again about to start their winter watch for humpback whales moving through Cook Strait.

 
 

Find out more

Publication

The conservation of whales in the 21st century

Stranded whales and dolphins: how you can help

Sharing our coasts with marine mammals - this brochure summarises the simple rules you need to follow around whales, dolphins or seals.

Publication

Whales in the South Pacific

Whales around Wellington

Information

Marine and coastal conservation

Contact

To report whale or dolphin sightings or strandings phone the DOC HOTline 24 hour emergency number:

0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468)

 

Tools

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