If you live in the Southern East Coast of Aotearoa, you will likely have encountered New Zealand sea lions/pakake. You will know they are large; males can weigh up to 450 kg and females up to 160 kg and their behaviour is similar to dogs; they are curious and playful. A common misconception about pakake is that they are dangerous to humans. Often when pakake display ‘aggressive’ behaviour, they are approaching to say “Kia ora”; to play; to investigate you; or to tell you to “Back off” by barking and huffing.
Sometimes, pakake have other ideas about the recommended 20 metres distance between them and humans. If they come to surf alongside you or to investigate what you’ve foraged while diving; keep calm and enjoy their presence.
Please choose to walk rather than drive on to beaches, and keep 20 metres away from pakake. When I photograph them, I keep at least 10 metres away and zoom in on them with my camera.
Photo: Lloyd Palmer.