Rare blue whale sighting in Akaroa Harbour (Whale video + Audio interview)

Written by RNZ

21 October 2025

A blue whale has been spotted in Akaroa Harbour for the first time in several years.

Passengers on an Akaroa Dolphins cruise on Friday spotted the whale on Friday morning.

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It slowly emerged from the water as onlookers gasped.

The sighting was filmed by an onlooker and marked the first blue whale seen by Akaroa Dolphins since 2020.

Listen to RNZ’s morning report discuss the sighting:

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Boating NZ are proud to augment our news gathering with that of our partners. We work with RNZ to deliver additional news, current events, and local reporting. RNZ (Radio New Zealand) is New Zealand's independent public service multimedia organisation and is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. RNZ has a specific role under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act as the designated Lifeline Utility radio broadcaster in the event of a Civil Defence emergency. RNZ provides audiences with trusted and independent news and current affairs, a range of diverse programmes, podcasts and series both on-air and online in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.