Kaikoura

Kaikoura's coastal waters are home to an amazing array of marine mammals and birdlife. Perhaps the most famous residents who can be seen on virtually a daily basis are the mighty sperm whales who share this part of the Pacific Ocean with dusky dolphins, fur seals and albatross - to name but a few! As well as these residents which can be viewed year round, migrating species such as the rare Hector's dolphins, humpback & blue whales and orca are frequent visitors.

Kaikoura is one of the best places in NZ to view seabirds - including 5 varieties of greater albatross, 8 varieties of smaller albatross and 7 varieties of Shearwater. The Hutton's shearwaters are particularly special to the community as Kaikoura provides the only nesting ground in the world for this endangered species.

View Kaikoura's wildlife based Activities and Attractions

Kaikoura's Maori heritage is reflected in its name. Tama ki Te Rangi arrived in the area many hundreds of years ago and was hungry and tired. He found an abundance of crayfish and named the area Te Ahi Kaikoura a Tama ki Te Rangi - the fire that cooked the crayfish of Tama ki Te Rangi.

Kaikoura has a rich history and culture which can still be experienced and enjoyed today. On the Peninsula, evidence of Kaikoura's earliest inhabitants, Moa hunters, dates back 900 years. The plentiful food supplies available on both land and in the sea attracted Maori settlement and the remains of several Pa sites can still be seen on the Peninsula.

European history can be traced back to 1770 when Captain Cook mapped the Kaikoura peninsula on his exploration of New Zealand. The first shore whaling station was established here in 1843 and this can still be visited today - Fyffe House was the first whaler's cottage in Kaikoura and is administered by Historic Places Trust and open to the public.

Kaikoura has an Art Trail which enables visitors to meet the many artists and craftspeople who find their inspiration in Kaikoura's stunning environment. The galleries and workshops feature pottery & paintings, jewellery, gold gilding and carving.

Kaikoura District Council and the Kaikoura community are leading the way in New Zealand and setting an example to the rest of the world by taking real steps to address the factors contributing to climate change.

• In 2004, Kaikoura District became the first local authority in the world to achieve Green Globe certification. Involvement in the Green Globe programme has been a catalyst for both the Council and for the Community and there is a huge range of environmental initiatives underway within the District.

• The sea floor drops to 1200m just 500m from the shore.
• More Maori Pa sites can be seen here than anywhere else on South Island.
• The Huttons Shearwater breed nowhere else in the world.
• Seals, dolphins, albatross and whales can be seen virtually every day of the year.
• The largest Moa egg found in NZ was found in Kaikoura.
• Kaikoura is home to the tallest mountains on the east coast of New Zealand. The tallest mountain in the area at 2885m is Mt Tapuae-O-uenuku, which was used by the late Sir Edmund Hillary while training for the ascent of Everest.

For those seeking adventure, tramp spectacular valleys and mountain tops in the 88,000 hectare Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia DOC Conservation Park, which includes much of the Inland and Seaward Kaikoura Ranges.