Department of Conservation researchers and former whalers are again about to start their winter watch for humpback whales moving through Cook Strait.
Humpback whales are easy to identify and are well known for their spectacular breaching and beautiful, complex songs.
DOC is calling on the public to keep an eye out and report sightings of southern right whales which are starting to move along the New Zealand coastline.
DOC is calling on the Wanganui and South Taranaki public to keep an eye out for sightings of nationally endangered southern right whale.
These baleen whales can be recognised easily by their strongly arched mouth, lack of dorsal fin and V-shaped blowhole spray.
New Zealand stopped whaling in 1964 when the last whaling station in Cook Strait closed. In this video you'll meet the ex-whalers who now use their skills to help protect whales.