Killer whales delight crowd with harbour antics at Bluff

A pod of about eight killer whales was the star attraction in Bluff last night, drawing crowds to Bluff's Marine Pde to watch the graceful mammals make what has been described as a rare appearance.


The Southland Times last reported sightings of orcas in the harbour in December 2006, but this time it was a smaller and not as adventurous group — only venturing around the harbour entrance.

Bluff man Morrell McKenzie, his wife Jane, their three children and several friends were among the lucky few able to get up close and personal to the orcas.

"That was awesome," Mr McKenzie said once back on shore.

Mrs McKenzie said they were sitting at home when they saw the Stewart Island ferry returning to Bluff about 7.30pm. It was travelling quite slowly. Then they saw why — there were orcas swimming next to it.

The family launched their boat to get a better glimpse. They didn't have to go far; the orcas had swum towards the end of the Tiwai wharf.

They ranged in size. There were a couple of "babies", but the largest adult would have been longer than his 4.5m boat, Mr McKenzie said.

Mr McKenzie has lived in Bluff all his life and cannot recall seeing orcas so close to the inner harbour before.

Neither had Neil Sutherland, who was able to get an even closer view of the pod than the McKenzies.

Mr Sutherland had been out in his kayak earlier in the evening, but soon after coming ashore he set out again for an unforgettable experience.

"It's the first time I've ever seen whales in the harbour. I've never seen them before in my 52 years (living in Bluff)." Mr Sutherland said he was so close at one stage that when one of the animals surfaced he was sprayed with water from its blowhole.

While he had the nearest encounter of all last night, Mr Sutherland said he was cautious not to venture too close.

Those not able to get so close were still excited about the experience.

Israeli tourist Asaf Azachi said he and his friend came across the scene by accident. "We were just driving along the road and saw all the cars (parked up)." It was a great experience, he said.

Donna Anderson agreed. She had travelled to Bluff from Invercargill with her husband and their three boys after a friend called to tell them of the orcas.

"It's great to see," Mrs Anderson said. "It's not very often that we can say that we've seen them." Her 8-year-old son Kyle said he could see one of the orca's eyes.

"And that's how I knew it was a killer whale," he said.

The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family. About 150 to 200 of the species make regular laps around New Zealand.

Source: The Southland Times