In Memorandum (Rest in Peace)
Sadly, many more orca than the few noted here, have died in NZ waters. Unfortunately, NZ has the highest rate of strandings, boat strikes and entanglements of orca in the world.
Unidentified Coastal NZ orca
Sex/Age: presumed male, juvenile
Event date: November 2012
Location: Mayor Island, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Buried: Carcass left adrift at sea by Department of Conservation
Anecdote: This young orca died from being entangled in a crayfish (rock lobster) pot line. At least 22 orca have been documented as entangled (since 1979) by the Orca Research Trust.
Unidentified Pelagic NZ orca
Sex/Age: female, calf
Event date: September 2015
Location: Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Buried: Motuihe Island
Anecdote: This young orca died from a boat strike and was carried by her mother for days. At least 10 orca have been documented by the Orca Research Trust as being hit by vessels in NZ waters .
Tiger (aka Tama Tiger)
Sex/Age: Male, calf
Event date: July 2016
Location: Ongare Point, Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand
Duration : 20 July-07 August 2016
Buried: Rangiwaea Island (Tauranga Harbour)
Anecdote: His name is from Te Reo Māori for boy (Tama) and from the stunning pigmentation patterns he had (like a tiger)
Moby
Sex/Age: Male, adult
Event date: December 2017
Location: Aongatete, Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand
Buried: Tauranga Harbour
Anecdote: Moby was named after the dog Moby, who loved orca (and who was in turn named after Moby Dick the sperm whale). Moby appeared in a scientific article about cookie cutter shark bites on orca as he was one of only a few NZ Coastal orca that have been documented with these bites
Toa
Sex/Age: Male, calf
Location: Hongoeka Bay, Plimmerton, New Zealand
Duration : 11 July-23 July 2021
Buried: Overlooking the coast of Karehana Bay
Anecdote: His name is from Te Reo Māori for strong and is also the name of the local Iwi, Ngati Toa. He captured the hearts of people from around the world.