With the Tasman Sea on the west and the South Pacific Ocean on the east, you are never further than an hour and a quarter away from the coast from any inland point in New Zealand. Add the subtropical climate, and it is no surprise that Kiwis spend much of their leisure time on or on the water.
New Zealand's waters are full of rare and magnificent creatures. New Zealand has twenty-nine marine reserves spread around the North Island, South Island, and other neighbouring islands, and another two on outlying island groups.
The Hector's Dolphin (the world's smallest marine dolphin) is much smaller than other dolphins in New Zealand waters. An adult Hector's dolphin grows to 1.2 to 1.4 metres. Also, the Hector is a little rounder than other New Zealand dolphins.
The New Zealand fur seal is found in West Australia, South Australia and New Zealand. In Tasmanian waters, it mainly occurs on the western and southern coasts. Only a few New Zealand fur seals breed on remote islands off the south coast. About 100 pups are born annually. Similar to the Australian fur seal, not all pups will survive. Australia-wide, the population is estimated to be 58,000.
Hooker's sea lions, also known as New Zealand sea lions, are one of only five species of sea lions worldwide. Hooker's sea lions are one of the most regionally localised and rare of the world's seal species. They breed almost exclusively at the Auckland Islands in the New Zealand subantarctic region. A few sea lions also breed on New Zealand's Campbell Island. The total population is estimated to be only about 12,500 animals.
The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head, on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, is the only mainland breeding colony for albatross species in the southern hemisphere. The first Taiaroa-reared albatross chick flew in 1938, and this now-protected nature reserve has grown into an established territory with a population of around 140 birds.
The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is only found in New Zealand and is one of the rarest of our penguins. It lives and breeds around the southeast coast of the South Island, on Stewart Island, and in the sub-antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. The Maoris know them as Hoiho.
The Paua shellfish is only found in the seas around New Zealand and has the most colourful abalone shells. Many consider Paua a delicacy, and the shell is traditionally used in carving and artwork.
