De-whaled f ireworks display now looks likely
Wellington’s whale has moved out of the harbour, which may mean the Matariki fireworks display will go ahead this weekend.
The southern right whale/ tohora¯ was spotted in the Moa Point area yesterday but because there had been no sightings for at least two days in the harbour, where the fireworks show would take place, it raised the prospect of the Sky Show.
On Facebook, members of the ‘‘Whale and Dolphin Watch – Wellington’’ group reported a number of sightings yesterday in the area of Moa Point, where the airport runway extension has been proposed.
One member posted: ‘‘Can confirm that Matariki is currently frolicking outside Moa Point in the area the airport wants to concrete over with a runway extension! I say we cancel that one for the whale too?’’
Last weekend’s fireworks display was postponed because the whale had been charming locals and occupying the harbour, and the public was concerned about the effect the display could have on the whale.
A Wellington City Council statement said the Department of Conservation advised the fireworks themselves would unlikely harm the whale but there were safety risks if the whale was in the proximity of fireworks-watching boats on the harbour.
Acting Wellington Mayor Simon Marsh said if the harbour was whale-free tomorrow and the weather was good, then it would be showtime.
‘‘The fact a whale was seen outside the harbour entrance raises the possibility that ‘our’ whale has finally tired of the bright lights.’’
Weather and whale permitting, the Sky Show will start at 6.30pm.