What was supposed to be a children's fishing trip turned into a learning experience when two Hector's Dolphins were attracted to a boat in Akaroa Harbour.
Newshub reporter Hamish Clark was on board with his children Archie and Lulu, and filmed the experience on Thursday afternoon.
He says the two dolphins swam side by side and upside down, checking out those onboard the boat for more than 20 minutes.
Hector's Dolphins are an endangered species, with only around 7400 left.
Pods are found around the coast of the South Island, but the population is mostly concentrated around Banks Peninsula, between Haast and Farewell Spit, and between Te Waewae Bay and Porpoise Bay.
A sub-species, the Maui's dolphin, is found on the west coast of the North Island.
They are one of the smallest marine mammals in the world -- growing to a maximum of 1.5m long -- and are only found in New Zealand waters.
They are easily recognisable by their distinctive grey, white and black colouring and round dorsal fin.
Newshub.
