Whale frolicking in harbour 'awe-inspiring'

GAIL HIGGS-WEST

GENTLE GIANT: Kayakers and divers came within metres of the 13-metre whale as it swam around Scorching and Karaka bays.

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A southern right whale seen in Wellington Harbour may signal the return of an endangered species, a scientist says.

Dozens of people watched from the shore while a pair of divers and kayakers came within metres of the 13-metre giant as it swam around Scorching and Karaka bays on Miramar peninsula on Saturday.

Conservation Department marine mammal scientist Louise Chilvers said the right whale species was threatened.

"They've been virtually absent from New Zealand since the whaling days. They were almost hunted to extinction. It's just amazing that they are coming back.

"They are very cool animals. Even though they are 18 tonnes ... they are so gentle."

Dr Chilvers said the whales fed in Antarctic waters before calving in the Auckland Islands, about 465 kilometres south of Bluff, during summer.

It was believed they once calved around New Zealand, and Dr Chilvers hoped the sighting on Saturday was a sign they were coming back.

Karaka Bay resident Gail Higgs-West first noticed the great shape moving in the water about 11am but it was still there as she ate dinner at 6pm.

Throughout the day, passing motorists stopped for a look and dozens of people came down to Karaka Bay wharf.

"It was sort of awe-inspiring. [It looks like] a bus in the water – underneath there is this massive animal. We were really impressed by how people behaved – if they were in a canoe, they let the whale come to them," Ms Gail Higgs-West said.

"[On the shore] it was nice and peaceful, with people just standing quietly watching. It was great for the kids to see wildlife on our doorstep like that."

- © Fairfax NZ News