Pods of dolphins have been cruising the Northland coast, some putting on spectacular aerial displays like this pair off Rangiputa Beach in the Far North. The Matthews family were out fishing when they came across this jubilant pod.
Dolphin watcher Jo "Floppy" Halliday, of Fullers in the Bay of Islands, said dolphins travelled Northland's coastline all year round. About 400 dolphins in numerous pods were regulars on the Northland coast but they could swim as far north as Cape Reinga and south to Tauranga.
Meanwhile, on Farewell Spit near Nelson, seven stranded pilot whales died yesterday morning but rescuers refloated 18 others. Last night, they were all swimming strongly.
And at Red Beach, north of Auckland, the focus was on saving human lives. The local surf lifesaving team won the 56th Owen Chapman Cup.
