Kaikōura - A hotspot of whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
population: 2,360

I was pretty unimpressed with Kaikoura. Spotting whales there is quite cool I'll admit, but the town itself is a bit of a car infested wasteland with absurdly wide roads right along the beach. Signs on the beach warn of high levels of pollution and what would be a rather relaxing place is ruined by exhaust fumes.