The whales and dolphins in your big blue backyard - free public talk

The top of Te Waipounamu the South Island is a critical habitat for many species of cetaceans - from the largest - the blue whale - to the smallest, Hector's dolphin.

Join Professor Rochelle Constantine from Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland who is visiting Marlborough to talk about whale and dolphin ecology and conservation biology.

The free public talk is at the Lansdowne Hub, Lansdowne Park, Blenheim on Wednesday 5 November at 6.30pm.

Register your interest on the eventfinda website

Lansdowne Hub is wheelchair accessible and light refreshments will be available.

Rochelle will present findings from long-term research programmes with a focus on recent Hector's dolphin research. She will also talk about the challenges facing cetaceans in a rapidly changing ocean and the importance of pragmatic approaches that place the animals and their environment at the centre of the conversation.

This talk is part of a new Council series covering marine issues and conservation - Whakawhiti kōrero mō te moana - Coastal Conversations.

The next Coastal Conversation is on 27 November when Dr Al Alder from the Cawthron Institute visits to speak about restoration of the marine environment. This will also be held at Lansdowne Park.