Kaikoura Whale Watch Takes First Prize

Posted on 22. Dec, 2009 by Toni in Inside New Zealand, What's New?

As I’m struggling to find my sea legs I am quickly distracted by a call from the skipper that there is a Whale about to breach!

My eyes quickly scan the blue horizon as I search for this majestic beast. I am so busy looking as far as the eye can see that I don’t realise what is right in front of my eyes. The beautiful whale is only a few metres in front of the boat, immediately my body is covered in goose bumps. There is something about seeing these gentle giants in their own playground that makes me stand still and gasp, the gentle sway of the boat starts to put me into a trance and I stare in wonder.

No wonder is it that the Whale Watch Kaikoura has been named the Supreme Winner at this year’s Responsible Tourism Awards in London. The international accolades are awarded annually and recognise tourism ventures operating in a way that respects and benefits both the destination and the local people.

It is a true sign that with community support and a good old ‘Can-Do Kiwi’ attitude you can bring a declining economy that it was in the late 1980’s to a thriving successful tourism hot spot that highlights the true hospitality that the people of Kaikoura and the Ngati Kuri tribe possess.

The Whale watch is owned and operated by Ngati Kuri, a hapu (sub tribe) of the South Island’s Ngai Tahu tribe. It is because of their forward thinking that they pulled many locals out of unemployment by realising the potential of the area’s sperm whale population that the area could be turned into a spectacular tourism venture for the thousands of people who visit Kaikoura every year.

It has been going for 22 years and counting as they introduce their sixth vessel to their fleet and last year invested $5m in a joint venture with Sea World on the Australia’s Gold Coast to provide their whale watching.

Clients of Relaxing Journeys have the opportunity of experiencing this intriguing excursion on a number of our self-drive tours as well as including them onto any independent coach tour that passes through Kaikoura. There are no excuses to miss out on this opportunity.

After experiencing this adventure first hand I could really feel and see the deep respect that the Ngati Kuri tribe has for the environment and their responsibility for the protection and nurturing of our natural resources.

No wonder they walked away with this well deserved prestigious award…..if only I could walk away on my sea legs!