Story: Whales

Whale fluking

Whale fluking

Although 22 species of whales are known to live in New Zealand waters, few are widely seen. The most visible are the sperm whales off Kaikōura, where there is a highly successful whale-watching operation. This sperm whale lifts its tail (an action known as fluking) before diving.

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New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust
Photograph by Steve Dawson

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Whales - Whales in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7074/whale-fluking (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006