Kaikoura: “to eat crayfish” by Nikki

                                             A New Zealand fur seal napping on a rock
  A small beachfront town between mountains and the coast, Kaikōura is isolated by mountains and hills to both north and south. Manakau (2,608 m) is the highest summit of the Seaward Kaikōura Range, the peaks of which tower over the coast and the town. Clay, silt and gravel deposited by streams from the mountains created a plain, and what had been an offshore limestone outcrop became a peninsula.

Kaikōura was an important settlement for early Māori. In Māori mythology, Kaikōura Peninsula (Taumanu o te Waka o Māui) was the seat where Māui sat when he fished the North Island (Te Ika a Maāi) up from the depths of the sea.Early Pākehā settlers (European New Zealanders) struggled to clear the forest and create swamp-free pastures. Kaikōura languished for over a century. Kaikōura’s port has been mostly used by fishing vessels, in which Crayfish are a specialty.

The undersea Kaikōura Canyon brings abyssal depths and sperm, blue, and humpback whales close to the coast. Whale watching has been a major tourist attraction since the 1980s. A museum, a peninsula walk, natural history and many cafés are points of interest in the town itself. Kaikōura has two other major industries: agriculture and cheese-making.

In Kaikōura, there is a wide range of important native species and ecosystems. Kaikōura is well-known for its NZ fur seals, whales and dolphins. It is also home to twelve native lizard species including the unusual black-eyed gecko and almost a quarter of the native plant species in the country.

On our way to  Kaikōura, we visited Acheron Station farm with Scott McFadden. He showed us what it’s like to run a sheep, beef and lumber farm in the rough mountains of New Zealand. His sustainable and holistic style of farming has inspired others to think about how their actions impact their land. Something that was very important to him was his relationship with other farmers, and making sure he was someone they felt comfortable talking to,

Our second day consisted of visiting the beautiful Bluff Station (located just north of Kaikoura)  and Hamish Murray. Murray runs a large lamb, beef, wool and honey farm. He emphasizes the importance of family and enjoying life to the fullest. He grew up on the farm and wanted to provide the same opportunities to his children.

We also got to stop and see a seal colony on the beaches of Kaikōura. We watched them soak in the sun, play in the waters, and take care of their young. Now tourists from all over the world can come to watch the whales, dolphins, orcas and seals that inhabit the waters and appreciate it for its true beauty.

 

Kaikoura attractions and activities are best known for fantastic whale watching (including the mighty Sperm Whale), swimming with both dusky dolphins and fur seals, deep sea fishing, bird watching (including the albatross) and delectable crayfish. In addition Kaikoura boasts a range of other outdoor attractions including adventurous trekking through the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges, sheep shearing, hunting, kayaking and more.