Come find us on the Whale Tales trail!
Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari is excited to be a sculpture sponsor for WWF Whale Tales 2022! This free, family-friendly public art trail launches around Auckland on 24 January 2022 and is all about celebrating Aotearoa, art and marine conservation. It’s the largest event of its kind ever held in New Zealand!
The trail features 80 giant whale tail sculptures, designed by 80 different artists in a huge range of styles. There are also 80 Pēpi (mini) tails designed by local schools, joining the trail in March.
The trail runs for 12 weeks, from 24 January – 18 April. You can view the trail map and download the official Whale Tales app on the Whale Tales website. For every sculpture you visit on the trail and ‘unlock’ with the app, you can get rewards and offers from the sponsors, including a family pass to experience our safari!
At the end of the trail, the sculptures will be auctioned off. The proceeds go towards WWF-New Zealand’s work to protect our ocean, particularly in and around the Hauraki Gulf.
Where to find our tail
Our tail has now been installed in its spot on the trail. Keep an eye out for it outside the Team NZ Base in Wynyard Quarter! It’s number 37 on your trail map.
We chose a design by artist and graphic designer Lucie Blaze for our tail. We love the bold, fresh colours and clear conservation message, and we hope you’ll love it too! If you’re snapping a selfie with our tail make sure you tag us so we can see it (and don’t forget the official #whaletales2022 hashtag).
The inspiration: our beloved Bryde’s whales
We knew we had to be part of Whale Tales, because the tails are inspired by the Hauraki Gulf’s resident population of critically endangered Bryde’s whales, which we frequently encounter on our safaris.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park/Tīkapa Moana/Te Moananui-ā Toi is one of only three places in the world where these you can see Bryde’s whales year-round. There are estimated to be just 135 of these gentle creatures in the Hauraki Gulf and we’re proud of our ongoing contributions to research and conservation to help protect them and their environment. Find out more fascinating Bryde’s whale facts on our blog.
WWF-New Zealand also works to protect and restore our oceans through waterway restoration projects, kelp regeneration projects and funding of marine protected areas.
How to get involved
- Explore the trail! It’s a fun way to get out and about around Tāmaki Makaurau and explore different neighbourhoods.
- Make sure you download the app so you can unlock rewards and get in the draw to win a family pass for our whale and dolphin watching safari!
- Donate to WWF to help save the whales, either online or by texting WHALE to 2923 to make a $3 donation.
- Come join us on safari! You could see Bryde’s whales in their natural environment, learn all about them from our expert crew and help fund more research into this critically endangered species.
WWF-New Zealand’s Whale Tales presented by Harcourts is a Wild in Art event in partnership with Auckland Unlimited. Visit www.whaletales2022.org for more information.
