Kaiwaka gets seal of approval

The Kaiwaka township had an unexpected visitor make himself at home on the banks of the Kaiwaka River last month.

Thought to be a kekeno, or New Zealand fur seal, the animal spent a number of days resting on the riverbank becoming a bit of a tourist attraction. Kekeno, one of three seal species that breed around the NZ coastline, are the most common seals in NZ waters. They are very good swimmers. A Department of Conservation spokesperson says a fur seal pup tagged on the west coast of the South Island has even been recorded in Australia. On land they sometimes become disoriented and have been found in unusual places such as backyards, drains and streets. Happily, locals reported that the Kaiwaka seal did not appear in the least bit distressed and after his brief stopover, is thought to have moved back out to sea.