A history of South Island whaling : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Diploma of Parks and Recreation

Abstract

I believe the approach to any dissertation topic should be threefold; - it should reflect a personal interest, a relevance to an area in which the author has worked and above all, be a readable account. The choice of a topic will ultimately reflect the interests and views held by the author.

My past association with cetacea, - the whales and dolphins, has been limited to a purely recreational relationship however a growing interest in the oceans and man's association with them made a subject such as I have chosen, a natural choice.

This dissertation begins with a description of the cetacea involved in whaling operations and those most commonly encountered around the New Zealand coastline. From there, the story of whaling operations, methods, the whalemen and the effects that they had on a young developing country are unfolded. The work concludes with a case for the preservation of New Zealand's last surviving shore station.

My personal interest in history and commitment to the conservation of these creatures grew, throughout the project, and my hope is that the reader's interest will be held so that they too may develop a sense of responsibility towards these creatures, whilst realizing the place the whalers held in the development of New Zealand's early history.