A $1.5 million government grant for Whale Watch Kaikōura could bring more than $20 million into the beleaguered town.
About 90 percent of the tour company's revenue comes from international visitors, and with closed borders Covid-19 was close to sinking up to 60 jobs.
It has been more than 100 days since one of its boats has been on water for a whale encounter. The company has been in business three decades but was barely back up off it knees after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.
The Prime Minister and Tourism Minister announced the cash injection from the government's $400 million tourism fund - identifying what it calls an iconic business - as a strategic tourism asset - the second to be funded after Discover Waitomo.
Lisa Owen heard from Whale Watch Kaikōura's general manager Kauahi Ngapora.
