Story: Te whānau puha – whales

Sperm whale fluking

Sperm whale fluking

The tail of this sperm whale (parāoa) flukes (lifts before diving) off the coast of Kaikōura, in the South Island. In the hope of catching sight of a whale, tourists take an internationally renowned whale-watching trip – usually the species they see are sperm whales. The Whale Watch tour is owned by the indigenous Ngāti Kurī people, who are part of the Ngāi Tahu tribe of the South Island.

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Whale Watch Kaikoura

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How to cite this page:

Bradford Haami, 'Te whānau puha – whales - Whales in Māori tradition', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9189/sperm-whale-fluking (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Bradford Haami, published 12 Jun 2006