Watch: Significant numbers of whales and dolphins off Dunedin

Researchers have found Dunedin is home to a whale population with a density and variety of national significance.

Otago University marine science lecturer Dr Will Rayment says a survey off the coast of Dunedin shows that it is home to a surprisingly large population of cetaceans.

"When we went out to the canyons we found sperm whales pretty much every time we went out there and some other really interesting species too Shepherd's Beaked whales, Pilot whales quite regularly, Humpback whales and a number of different dolphin species too," said Dr Rayment.

The population was so dense and varied that Dr Rayment believes it is second only to Kaikoura in terms of significance.

This video was made by the Otago Daily Times with the help of New Zealand On Air.