Verbal barbs for Japanese whale watcher

Japanese Ambassador Masaki Saito arrives in Kaikoura yesterday. Picture / Simon Baker

Irony was thick in the air as the Japanese ambassador went whale-watching, but Conservation Minister Chris Carter insisted it was a prime opportunity to press New Zealand's case for a whaling ban.

Japanese Ambassador Masaki Saito was a target for protesters as he joined Mr Carter and six other Asian ambassadors on the trip off the coast of Kaikoura yesterday.

Last month Japan led pro-whaling nations to a symbolic victory at the International Whaling Commission, with a declaration that a 20-year-old ban on commercial whaling was "unnecessary".

About a dozen protesters met the bus carrying the minister's party at the Whale Watch jetty with chanting, mock harpoons and banners, as police watched.

Mr Saito managed to avoid any confrontation with the protesters yesterday, and Mr Carter applauded his "courage" in coming on the trip to see how living whales could provide employment and tourist dollars.

"It's a chance for New Zealand and Japan to have dialogue about this issue in a beautiful setting," Mr Carter said.

"It is about friendship, and it is a chance for ... New Zealand's position on whaling to be shown to Japan in a very practical way.

"I think this is a practical example about why New Zealanders feel passionate about whales and why we believe they should be conserved."

Asked why Mr Saito was unwilling to speak to the media or protesters yesterday, Mr Carter said: "I think he's sensitive about his position as an ambassador. There are other ambassadors present [and] he's conscious he's just one of a group here."

Earlier in the day a protester wearing a balaclava stood in front of the bus as it pulled in to a Kaikoura marae.

The bus driver had to "basically nudge [the protester] out of the way", said Senior Constable Tony Barrow.

Police warned them that anyone blocking the minister's party could be arrested for disorderly behaviour.

Protest leader Brent Thorpe told the Herald the group was unconcerned about "trivial breaches of the law".

"We are not hurting anybody."

Mr Thorpe said the protesters were trying to make the Japanese Government aware of the "displeasure they are causing around the world by killing whales".

Japanese tourists in Kaikoura were "shocked and ashamed" when he showed them footage of the whales being hunted.

He felt taking the Japanese ambassador out to see whales in the wild was an "excellent idea".

"I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Japanese ambassador is shocked by [the hunting] as well, but as a puppet he must follow his Government's policy."