Story: Natural environment

Kaikōura’s sperm whales

Kaikōura’s sperm whales

Just one kilometre off Kaikōura, on the north-east coast of the South Island, a canyon drops 1,000 m into the ocean depths. This attracts abundant marine life, including sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and their prey, the giant squid (Architeuthis). The Kaikōura sperm whales, once hunted in New Zealand waters, are now fully protected, and whale watching has become part of the region’s growing tourist industry. The tail or fluke of the whale is unique, and can be used to identify individual whales. This stamp was one of a scenic issue in 2004.

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New Zealand Post
Reference: 2004 Scenic Definitive stamp issue

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Natural environment - Coasts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/2657/kaikouras-sperm-whales (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond