Are you going out on the water to see the Southern Right Whale?
A reminder of the rules around marine mammal encounters from the Department of Conservation:
General
Do not disturb, harass or make loud noises near marine mammals.
Contact should be ceased should marine mammals show any signs of becoming disturbed or alarmed.
Do not feed or throw any rubbish near marine mammals.
Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed or direction of any vessel or aircraft near a marine mammal.
There should be no more than 3 vessels and/or aircraft within 300 m of any marine mammal.
At sea
Ensure that you travel no faster than idle or ‘no wake’ speed within 300 m of any marine mammal.
Approach whales and dolphins from behind and to the side.
Do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group.
Keep at least 50 m from whales (or 200 m from any large whale mother and calf or calves).
Swimming with whales is not permitted.
You may swim with seals and dolphins but not with dolphin pods with very young calves.
Avoid approaching closer than 20 m to seals and sea lions hauled out on shore.
Idle slowly away. Speed may be gradually increased to out-distance dolphins and should not exceed 10 knots within 300 m of any dolphin.
If you notice a marine mammal being harassed, severely injured or entangled, contact DOC immediately on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) (Or Project Jonah - 0800 4WHALE) .
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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0% Yes! New Year, New Me
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0% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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0% Nah - not for me
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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