Breeding areas
Seaward Kaikoura Range and possibly the Inland Kaikouras, NZ.
Breeding season
August to March
Dispersal migration
Absent from breeding grounds from mid-April to end of August. Abundant in coastal seas from Otago peninsula to Cook Strait. Winters in Australian seas though some birds still seen off Kaikoura.
A warm current from the Australian Great Barrier Reef flows onto Stewart Island. This brings a much more diverse variety of marine creatures than would normally be found in waters of this latitude, a visit will have you wishing for more
See New Zealand with the birding experts
To discover New Zealand’s unique bird-life and finest natural wonderlands, contact the specialists in custom designed birding tours for small groups, couples and individuals
Albatross Encounter, is a well established pelagic boat tour operating from the picturesque coastal town of Kaikoura