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.

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