Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand

For centuries whales and dolphins have captured our imaginations. We have revered and mythologised them, hunted them to the brink of extinction and passionately protected them. But how much do we really know? Marine mammal expert Barbara Todd uses a powerful combination of science and culture to explore whales’ incredible diversity, biology and adaption to life in the oceans.

Stories from people whose lives have been inextricably linked with whales – including legendary Māori whale riders, international scientists, conservationists and former whalers – reveal our changing relationships with these majestic creatures. Hundreds of breathtaking photographs, historical pictures, astonishing facts and informative illustrations – plus a special section detailing every species known in New Zealand waters – bring the whales and dolphins of the South Pacific to life.