Tourism could take a hit as climate change knocks whale numbers

New research has modelled their distribution in our waters.

Lead researcher Katharina Peters says as waters warm, sperm and blue whales will likely head south ? impacting the wider ecosystem.

She says this won't be good for Kiwi industries like tourism ... with the town of Kaikoura dependent on being one of the only places in the world visitors can see sperm whales up close.