Named after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian whaler, this whale has a unique claim to fame in New Zealand. We have a resident population that lives in the Hauraki Gulf year-round, making it one of the few places in the world where these whales can be seen close to a major city. Unlike other rorquals, Bryde's whales do not undertake long migrations. They stay put, feeding in the same waters throughout the year. The Bryde's whale is a member of the rorqual family, which includes blue whales and humpbacks. It has the characteristic throat grooves that allow it to expand its mouth to engulf vast quantities of water and prey. But it is smaller than its famous cousins, reaching only about fifteen metres in length. Its body is dark grey on top and lighter below, with a subtle, mottled pattern that is unique to each individual. It has three prominent ridges on the top of its head, a feature that distinguishes it from other rorquals. In the Hauraki Gulf, these whales are often seen feeding near the surface. They lunge through schools of anchovy and pilchard, their mouths open wide, throat grooves stretched to capacity. The gulls and terns gather above, hoping to snatch scraps. It is a spectacle that occurs almost daily, yet most Aucklanders have no idea it is happening. The whales are there, just beyond the shipping lanes, living their lives while the city bustles nearby. The biggest threat to Bryde's whales in New Zealand is ship strikes. The Hauraki Gulf is one of the busiest shipping corridors in the country, and the whales feed in the same waters that the ships traverse. A collision with a large vessel is almost always fatal. In response, shipping lanes have been adjusted, and speed restrictions have been implemented in parts of the gulf. The whales are slowly learning to share their home with the ships, but it is a dangerous coexistence.