Whale Rescue is a volunteer organisation, run by volunteers. There are lots of different ways that you can help us to continue rescuing whales and dolphins.
On behalf on all the whales and dolphins you have helped to save we give our heart-felt thanks. We encourage all our readers and networks of people to please show your appreciation of this support by purchasing products and services from the following companies, who appear alphabetically.
Air New Zealand Cargo (International)
Air New Zealand Cargo (International) came to the rescue itself, when Whale Rescue required a set of Rescue Pontoons to be shipped from Australia to New Zealand. With speeding shipping and seamless delivery Air New Zealand Cargo were super friendly and very efficient. The size and weight of a set of Rescue Pontoons meant that they had to be handled by a cargo company and we were delighted with the support offered to Whale Rescue. We recomment that should any of our network of supporters need to ship large items they contact Air New Zealand Cargo (International).
ANCRA, in association with the late William McRae (who was a Department of Conservation Officer and a committed whale rescuer) and in consultation with the Whale Rescue team, designed and constructed our new pilot-whale specific lifting mats. These are rated to enable an adult pilot whale and any smaller cetacean to be safely lifted. ANCRA has offered Whale Rescue a special 'buy 10, get 2 free' deal - allowing us to expand our capacity to help lift the animals out of the surf and into a safe zone where they can be cared for, before they are released back out to sea.
When a set of Rescue Pontoons where donated to Whale Rescue they had to be shipped from Australia into New Zealand. Whale Rescue needed logistical assistance with clearing customs and filing all the appropriate paperwork. Bernard International kindly offered to faciliated this process and they offered Whale Rescue a quick and reliable service. Should any of our supporters require items to be shipped into New Zealand we can recommend Burnard International.
C-Tech manufactures a range of composite components for the marine industry which are exported worldwide. These include CT Sailbattens, made of carbon fibre. These CT Sailbattens are used by America's Cup teams, superyachts, offshore racers, multihulls, maxis, harbour racers and cruisers. C-Tech also produces custom-built carbon fibre tube for a range of industrial applications (e.g. print rollers, robot arms, UAV’s and cooling tower drive shafts). C-Tech manufacture carbon fibre spars (masts, booms, prods and spinnaker poles) for boats. Now C-Tech is producing specilized lifting poles for rescuing whales as well as a specific towing bridle and spreader with carbon-fibre components.
Dave Hesketh Plumbing Limited (DHPL) was instrumental in the original purchase of rescue equipment for Whale Rescue. They remain committed to the long-term support of Whale Rescue and the positive outcomes which Whale Rescue has attained. DHPL has also been a key sponsor for flights to and from strandings as well as providing vehicles to transport equipment.
Fullers Great Sights runs dolphin watching (and swimming) in the Bay of Islands. Whale Rescue co-founder Floppy (Jo) Haliday currently works for them (as did Steve Whitehouse) and she can often be seen out on the dolphin boats educating the guests about these incredible animals. Fullers Great Sights runs daily trips out on the water in the Bay of Islands and as a way to support Whale Rescue they allow Floppy to take time off work with little or no notice, in order for her to attend whale and dolphin rescues.
Hotprintz has been a supporter of Whale Rescue since the inception, offering discounts for printing our stickers and logos for our Whale Rescue equipment. As they pride themselves their wide range of specialist screenprinting skills and services, they are well suited to the often demanding requirements (not to mention 'out of the box') requests Whale Rescue has proposed to Hotprintz. For instance, who would expect a request to print logos for rescue lifting mats or pontoons for whales!
Our partnership with Interislander continues on from their support of our co-founder, Dr Ingrid N. Visser and the Orca Research Trust. Interislander will now also assist our Medics with free passage, including vehicles with vital equipment to strandings, between the North and South Islands. Interislander operates three ferries across the Cook Strait between the Islands which will help us attend rescues of stranded cetaceans
Kapai Kidz makes a regular direct debit donation towards supporting Whale Rescue. Donations such as this allow Whale Rescue to plan ahead and to budget for replacement equipment and any repairs we might require. Knowing that kids are so interested in the welfare and rescue of whales and dolphins, Kapai Kidz contributes financially to allow Whale Rescue to conduct their work.
Kathmandu New Zealand has a community program to support local initiatives and charitable organisations such as Whale Rescue, throughout their store network. The purpose of this program is to give back to the communities in which they operate and to support worthy causes that are important to their people and their customers.
Kathmandu supports Whale Rescue through sponsored and discounted products such as our dress uniforms. They also have provided us with our windproof vests which we use as part of our uniform but also whilst out during rescues. In extreme cold wind these vests are vital and help our team keep their core-body temperature regulated. A welcome addition to our rescue kit is a tent for us to shelter in during multi-day rescues. If you are building your own whale-rescue personal kit we also highly recommend the glow-sticks for night safety.
The Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia is located in the stunningly beautiful Bay of Islands. Situated just 100 metres from Paihia wharf and township, the Kingsgate has strong links to the marine environment. Supporting Whale Rescue through donations of sheets (for placing over the sensitive skin of stranded whales and dolphins), the Kingsgate provides a simple yet extremely effect way to help save whales. These sheets prevent the whale's skin from drying out and also protects them from sunburn. Kingsgate also supply all our Whale Rescue Crew with duvet's for keeping warm during long over-night vigals on the beach whilst rescuing whales and dolphins.
Mico have supported Whale Rescue through donating vital personal safety equipment for each member of the team. This has included hard-hats (used during the lifting process of whales) and first-aid kits. Safety for our team is just as important as rescuing the whales so these items are a key and welcome part of our rescue equipment.
'Nathan Pettigrew Carvings' is based out of Tauranga, New Zealand, right on the shores of the Bay of Plenty. Much of the inspiration behind the very unique and sought after creations, which are designed and hand-made by Nathan himself, comes from the Ocean. With no two carvings the same and buyers waiting in the wings for Nathan to create each piece, these carvings are recognised as collectors items as well as objects of art and yet they remain something that is clearly meant to be worn.
With a 'pay it forward' philosophy, Nathan and his wife Karina support Whale Rescue by donating a generous percentage of the cost of each carving sold. Having an affinity with the Ocean and all it's creatures including orca, dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds (which they often see whilst out in their kayaks) it is easy to understand where their strong beliefs stem from. They also support other organisations such as the Orca Research Trust with financial support to purchase equipment to protect and rescue cetaceans and their support is made possible through members of the public purchasing these amazing carvings. You too can own one and support Whale Rescue at the same time.
Northland Spars and Rigging Ltd is one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of mast and rigging services. For over 15yrs NSR has continued to provide marine services to New Zealand and visiting overseas yacht owners in Northland and the Bay of Island region. They support Whale Rescue through providing (and splicing) all the necessary ropes required for disentanglement kits. These kits are designed and built to support the safety of the crew working to disentangle a whale (or dolphin) and also to ensure that the recovered ropes, nets etc are not lost back into the ocean.
Orca Research Trust supports Whale Research through a wide range of items such as equipment (boat & vehicle, camera, gps) as well as providing images for use on the website and in our promotional and fund raising material. The Orca Research Trust is currently the umbrella non-profit organisation which Whale Rescue operates under as it is registered with the New Zealand Charities Commision.
Orca Sports Apparel have provided Ingrid, Floppy & Wendy with wetsuits for attending whale and dolphin rescues. With state-of-the-art technology these wetsuits retain their flexibility, allowing the Whale Rescue crew to remain warm but also, importantly, mobile, during rescues. Orca Sports Apparel also supply us with merino garments to keep us warm between our shifts in the water. To protect our gear when out in the water they have also donated dry bags. Additionally, Orca Sports Apparel support the Orca Research Trust through donations to purchase much needed rescue and research equiment.
If you are building your own whale-rescue personal kit we highly recommend the merino garments as well as Orca wetsuits and their dry bags for keeping your gear protected during a stranding.
Salt Air supports Whale Rescue through providing discounted air fares to strandings and has helicoptered our team and our equipment in remote locations at very short notice. This has enabled us to arrive promptly and has directly resulted in more whales being rescued.
We highly recommend you take one of their scenic or scheduled flights. They can do charters over much of Northland, including key areas where whales and dolphins are often sighted. They have a unique pontoon moored right in the Bay of Islands where you can land and visit the senic islands.
Southern Pacific built our Whale Rescue pontoon systems. Designed by our member Steve Whitehouse and used around the world to help rescue stranded cetaceans, these pontoons are instrumental in most rescues. Used as singles, doubles or as multiples they have rescued whales up to 15 m long. Southern Pacific's exacting manufacturing process, as well as their dedication to ensuring a high-quality product has meant that Whale Rescue now has two sets of rescue pontoons.
Uber Group provide Northland with wireless fast broadband and as such have become the providers for Whale Rescue. They are of the strong opinion that business can not only be successful but that it can be fun. Uber Group has installed a wireless network around the base of operations at the Orca Research Center, where Whale Rescue is hosted, as well as providing super fast broadband for Whale Rescue.
Hayden Simon, the Managing Director of Uber Group had this to say about supporting Whale Rescue and the work of Dr Ingrid Visser: "I support the Whale Rescue and the Orca Research Trust, because quite frankly its awesome. Dr Ingrids work is fantastic! Why WOULDNT we get in behind this? I only wish we knew about it sooner!"
