A massive iceberg is likely to pass New Zealand shores now that it has entered the country’s waters.

Niwa oceanographer Mike Williams said the iceberg was spotted near the sub-Antarctic islands about 500km from New Zealand.

Dr Williams has been tracking the iceberg, estimated to be 500m wide and 50m high, since it was spotted in the Southern Ocean.

The icebergs are likely to be another boom for tourist operators in the South Island.  Last time icebergs came close to New Zealand planes and helicopters were booked solid.

Icebergs as far north as New Zealand are extremely rare, like this one photographed by Simon Gomez of The Radio Network back in 2006.  “The bergs were about 80K off the Coast, straight out from Dunedin and were drifting north at about 3 knots. Took us about 45 minutes to get out there” said Mr Gomez.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz / NZHerald.co.nz