White-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina)

A much larger petrel than the grey-backed and Wilson's storm petrels. Breeds in colonies on islands in the Hauraki Gulf and Chatham Islands - where there are colonies with a million plus birds. Distinctive coloration around face make this storm petrel easy to identify at sea.

Despite being the most common storm petrel in New Zealand's coastal waters, very few white-faced storm petrels are seen in the coastal waters off the South Island's East Coast. White-faced storm petrels are rare visitors to the Kaikoura Coast and will generally be seen offshore, but have been spotted within 2 miles of the Kaikoura Coast.