Southern Long-finned Pilot Whale

The southern long-finned pilot whale is a highly social dolphin found in deeper New Zealand waters. It is frequently involved in mass strandings. Pilot whales have bulbous foreheads, dark bodies and long curved pectoral fins. Large males may exceed 6 metres.

They occur around the entire coast but favour deep water and continental slopes. Groups periodically enter bays. Stable social groups contain dozens or hundreds of animals. They make deep dives for squid and fish.

The population is Not Threatened nationally. Mass strandings can kill many animals together. Pelagic trips from Kaikōura and Auckland occasionally encounter pods. Farewell Spit is known for strandings, not routine viewing.