Spending power
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Spending power
Key facts
Counted staff
39
self-reported 11–50 band
Founded
1987
39 years
Legal entities
None matched
Office countries
1
1 address
Funding rounds
None on record
Company type
Privately Held
self-reported
Description
Whale Watch is a multiple national and international award-winning nature-based tourism company owned and operated by Ngāti Kuri of Kaikōura, a Māori sub-tribe of the South Island's larger Ngāi Tahu tribe.
Whale Watch was formed in 1987 at a time when Māori were casualties of Kaikōura’s declining economy. At this time of difficulty, Ngāti Kuri leaders like (The late) Bill Solomon believed the local Sperm Whales held the answer to the unemployment problems of the Māori community. They knew their ancestor Paikea had journeyed to a new life in New Zealand on the back of the whale Tohorā. It seemed appropriate for Paikea's descendants to again ride on the back of the whale to a new life and prosperity.
The Ngāti 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 (1989) 3,000 passengers were carried. In time, the inflatable was replaced by a larger vessel with an upper viewing deck until today the Whale Watch fleet numbers 2 x 24m modern catamarans specially designed for whale watching holding up to 116 passengers. Now up to 100,000 passengers can be carried each year. The expansion of the Whale Watch fleet required the building of an entire marina in South Bay. It is from here that all whale watching tours now depart.
Due to the phenomenal success of Whale Watch, Kaikōura is now one of New Zealand's leading eco-tourism destinations offering a diverse range of exciting activities and experiences. The company has stimulated investment in new accommodation, restaurants and an impressive array of cafes and galleries filled with the work of local artists.
Paikea and Tohorā still form the symbolic centre of Whale Watch. They represent the spiritual bond between the human world and the natural world and speak of the possibilities that reveal themselves when the world of nature is revered.
Specialties
- facilities
- research
- nature
- customer service
- product development
- marketing
- culture
- sales
- story telling
- tourism
All 20 specialties
- Tourism
- Marine Mammals
- Facilities
- Wildlife Encounters
- Whales
- Passenger Transport
- Maritime Operations
- Customer Experiences
- Culture
- Story Telling
- Nature
- Dolphins
- Seabirds
- Seals
- Whale Watching
- Sales
- Marketing
- Product Development
- Customer Service
- Research
Related specialties
Locations
Country footprint
Show as table · Offices in 1 country
| Countries | 1 |
|---|---|
| Primary country | NZ |
All codes: NZ
Addresses
- NZThe Whaleway Station, Whaleway Station Road; PO Box 89; Kaikoura, Canterbury 7340Primary
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Financials
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Paid-up capital
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People & contacts
4 employee profiles on record · names withheld.
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FAQ
How many people work at Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd?
39 counted staff profiles at January 2026, inside the self-reported 11–50 band.
Where does Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd have offices?
One address on record, New Zealand only. Primary: The Whaleway Station, Whaleway Station Road, PO Box 89, Kaikoura, Canterbury 7340.
Has Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd raised funding?
None linked to this brand.
What does Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd list as its specialties?
20 tags on the brand's own list, among them facilities, research and nature.
Which companies are listed alongside Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd?
Two peer profiles on record: DISTINCTION HOTELS NEW ZEALAND LTD and Christchurch International Airport Limited.