Whale and dolphin watching is a rapidly expanding tourist industry in New Zealand. The major benefit for conservation is raising public awareness about marine mammals in their natural environment. Tourist operations, however, have the potential to disturb marine mammals, and the need for adequate control over the activities of boats and aircraft is generally accepted.

This paper discusses the management of whale and dolphin watching in New Zealand, especially in Kaikoura, which is the country's most popular whalewatching destination, with particular emphasis on the role of scientific research. Much of the material is based on an earlier paper given by Andrew Baxter at the Encounters with Whales 1993 Conference at Lady Elliott Island on the Great Barrier Reef (Baxter 1993).