Whaling in New Zealand

A restored whaleboat at Butler Point, New Zealand.

Whaling in New Zealand dates back to the late 18th century and ended in 1964 since it was no longer economic. 19th century whaling was based on the Southern Right whale, and 20th century whaling on the Humpback whale. There is now an established industry for whale watching based in the South Island town of Kaikoura.

History

The Māori, who were the first to settle in New Zealand, appear to have hunted whales rarely but did eat stranded whales.

The earliest record of whaling in New Zealand is from 1791 when the whaleship William and Ann called in at Doubtless Bay. In the early 18th century Kororareka (now called Russell) was a supply port for whaling and sealing ships, and developed a reputation as the Hellhole of the Pacific.

A preserved Whaling ship which frequested New Zealand waters, the Charles W. Morgan.

For 18th and 19th century shore stations, see 1966 article. In the 19th century. South Island shore stations were at Preservation Inlet and Te Awaiti (the first shore stations), Stewart Island, Otago, Timaru and Kaikoura. North of Wellington there were three whaling stations at Porirua, and five on Kapiti Island. Further north were shore stations at New Plymouth and Great Barrier Island.

Perano's of Tory Channel, Cook Strait caught 4200 whales (mainly humpback) between 1911 and 1964 when the last whale was caught in New Zealand waters. See Biological Interests at a Whaling Station (1948)

Conservation

All whales within New Zealand’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone are totally protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978.

See also

• History of New Zealand
• Conservation in New Zealand
• Butler Point Whaling Museum
• Johnny Jones
• Weller brothers

References

• Shore Whaling by Kelvin Day (Porirua Museum History Series booklet No 1, 1986) ISBN 0 9597808 0 7
• The Whale's Wake by H. Morton (The University of Otago Press, Dunedin, 1982)

External links

• Harvesting the Sea - Whaling (Te Ara)
• The 1966 Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Whaling In New Zealand Waters 1791 - 1963
• New Zealand Electronic Text Centre - Whaling in New Zealand Waters — “There She Blows.”