Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd

Whale Watch is a multiple national and international award winning New Zealand nature-based Tourism Company owned and operated by the indigenous Ngati Kuri people of Kaikoura, a Maori sub-tribe of the South Islands larger Ngai Tahu Tribe. Whale Watch was formed in 1987 at a time when Maori were casualties of Kaikouras declining economy. At this time of difficulty, Ngati Kuri leaders like (The late) Bill Solomon believed the local Sperm Whales held the answer to the unemployment problems of the Maori community. They knew their ancestor Paikea had journeyed to a new life in New Zealand on the back of the whale Tohora. It seemed appropriate for Paikeas descendants to again ride on the back of the whale to a new life and prosperity. The Ngati Kuri founders of Whale Watch mortgaged their houses to secure a loan to start the business. In the early days passengers travelled aboard a 6.7 metre inflatable vessel carrying 8 passengers at a time. In the first year of operation 3,000 pass...