Pod of orcas delight locals at Auckland's Orewa Beach

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Hayden Chapman was playing with his two children on Auckland's Orewa Beach when he spotted a magnificent sight – an orca jumping out of the water in front of him.

Did you see the orca? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz

Chapman was one of a group of locals who witnessed the pod of about five whales swimming near the beach just before sunset on Tuesday.

'I had to do a double-take,' Chapman said. 

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'There was a whole pod of them only about 50 or so metres from the shore.'

Chapman and his family have lived in the area for about four years and frequent the beach on the weekends and after work.

He said this was the first time he's ever seen a pod of the whales.

On Monday a pod of orcas were spotted further down the country at New Plymouth's East End beach.

Two were spotted playing only a stone's throw from the Wind Wand about midday and heading north towards Fitzroy Beach.

About half an hour later, an additional four orca, including two calves, were seen swimming in the same direction.