A humpback whale breached near Waimārama in Hawke’s Bay. Photo / Warrick Frogley
Frogley had seen lots of dolphins in the area but this was her first time seeing a whale near Waimārama.
“Don’t we just live in paradise? So grateful for our safe, beautiful, spectacular country,” she said.
Frogley said her boat kept its distance so it didn’t crowd the animal.
Department of Conservation (DoC) technical adviser Hannah Hendriks said it was a humpback, well-known for spectacular breaching.
“Humpback whales are frequent visitors to the coastal waters of New Zealand, where they undertake seasonal long-distance migrations – about 10,000km per year – between summer feeding grounds in high latitudes – Antarctica – and winter calving and breeding grounds in tropical or near tropical waters.”
Hendriks said whale sightings could be reported to DoC’s conservation hotline on 0800 362 468 or via the marine mammal sighting form on DoC’s website.
“Reports of sightings are always valuable, and help increase our knowledge of whale distribution and movements around New Zealand.”
DoC’s website recommends boats stay at least 50m away from any whale and at least 200m away from any baleen or sperm whale mother and calf. It also recommends not swimming with whales.
A humpback whale was spotted in the area in November 2024; Olly Ryan was retrieving craypots off Waimārama when he saw a humpback breaching about 30 times.
The humpback whale was seen slapping its fin on the water’s surface before diving and breaching. Photo / Warrick Frogley
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.