<P> A pod of Orca (Killer Whales) are spotted cruising past Rangitoto Island near Auckland, New Zealand </P> <P> The sea around Kaikoura supports an abundance of sea life, with the town's income stemming largely from the tourism generated from whale watching and swimming with or around dolphins . Recently the sperm whale watching at Kaikoura has developed rapidly and now it is an industry leader; arguably the most developed in the world . </P> <P> The dominant organisation in Kaikoura's whale watching industry is Whale Watch Kaikoura, which is run as a charitable organisation . It takes around 100,000 visitors out by boat per annum, and has an annual turnover of NZ $10m . Whale Watch Kaikoura began operating in 1987 with a 6 metres (20 ft) boat . Whale watching is also done by air, and the Kaikoura Aerodrome is mainly used for whale spotting tourist flights by Wings over Whales and Air Kaikoura--Kaikoura Aero Club . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> Kaikoura whale watch centre </Td> <Td> Sperm whale eating a fish off Kaikoura; surface feeding is not normal behaviour </Td> <Td> Whale watching by plane, with Kaikoura Peninsula visible in the background </Td> <Td> Tail fin of a sperm whale </Td> <Td> Whale watch boat and whale </Td> </Tr> </Table>

When is whale watching season in new zealand