Whale Tales is a free family-friendly outdoors arts trail in Tāmaki Makaurau, inspired by the Hauraki Gulf's threatened Bryde's whale!

A trail of 80 one-of-a-kind ‘Big Broo’ whale tail sculptures, designed by known and up-and-coming New Zealand artists, are dotted around Auckland until April 2022.

Whale Tales will provide countles fun days out for friends and families alike - all while raising vital funds to help save Aotearoa's Bryde's whales and restore their home in the Hauraki Gulf.

You can start your Whale Tales adventure by downloading the app from Apple or Google and navigating through Auckland streets, parks and open spaces to collect these majestic artworks.

We need as many New Zealanders as possible to take part in Whale Tales, if we’re to make a lasting impact for our Bryde’s whales and its home in the Hauraki Gulf. You can also support this project by visiting our Whale Tales store or joining us for our fun, free and educational events.

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What are the artworks?

Every Tail is a one-of-a-kind artwork, created by artists across Aotearoa, and each with a beautiful tale to tell.

The artists include well-known names such as Wētā Workshop, Jeff Thomson, Otis Frizzell, Bonnie Brown…and so many more.

Each artwork offers a unique creative experience but all have the same mission: To help us protect our marine environment and its residents, including the mighty Bryde’s whale.

There are prizes and rewards to be won as you walk the trail and collect the tails, and each sculpture has its own COVID Tracer QR code.

Please ensure you scan in to help keep you, your whānau and community safe.

Why the Bryde’s whale?

Whale Tales was created to support the future of the Hauraki Gulf’s ‘forgotten whale’ – the Bryde’s. The Bryde’s lives, year-round, in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana/Te Moana-nui-ā-Toi.

The Gulf is an area of huge significance for Bryde’s whales, acting as a nursery where they give birth and raise their calves. But the many pressures on the Gulf, from plastic pollution to overfishing, out-of-balance ecosystems and more is threatening their survival.

Now, there are only 135 left in our waters, and the Bryde’s is deemed a ‘nationally critical’ species, at risk of disappearing from the Hauraki Gulf forever.

Whale Tales is designed to raise much-needed awareness around our marine environment, with funds raised going toward restoring the ecosystem of the Hauraki Gulf, and helping save the Bryde’s whale.

Whale Tales is a free family-friendly outdoors arts trail in Tāmaki Makaurau, inspired by the Hauraki Gulf's threatened Bryde's whale!

What are the artworks?

Why the Bryde’s whale?

You can take home your favourite tail!

You can have a chance to own one of these incredible artworks, by bidding on your favourite sculpture at our auction on the 2nd May!

Bid early for selective tails!

Early bidding opens for Timed Auctions on 19 - 26 April before the big Auction Event on 2 May, available online and in person.

Thanks to…