Orcas delight Wellingtonians during evening harbour visit

Thursday, 20 August 2020

Orcas spotted at Breaker Bay in Wellington.

A pod of orcas wowed Wellingtonians after they glided into Breaker Bay on Thursday evening.

Stuff Ltd chief executive Sinead Boucher witnessed the incredible sight and believed that one of the orcas may have given birth.

“We watched a few females wallow about five metres from shore while the big male lazed around further out,” she said.

Orcas were spotted at Breaker Bay in Wellington on Thursday evening.

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“Then we saw this small one surface and it was covered in orange stuff. Then a whole lot more orcas appeared. It was truly incredible to see them. We only left because it got dark,” she said.

Elyse Phee was also one of the many spectators who watched in awe.

Phee said she did notice “a very small baby one that looked slightly pink”.

“Its head popped out of the water for a moment,” she said.

“I saw the [social media] post about them in Seatoun, which had only been up for 10 to 15 minutes, so figured I'd go to the next bay along to try and find them. So we drove to Breaker Bay and saw about three amongst the rocks,” she said.

“There were about three – a couple seemingly juvenile and pretty small looking calves – feeding or hanging out by the rocks for a long time. In the distance we could see one or two pretty big adult ones that were splashing their tales and swimming around Moa Point.”

Although Phee had seen orcas before, she said Thursday’s sighting was “pretty special”.

“I'd seen some orcas by Houghton Bay on New Year’s Eve a couple [of] years ago, but they were pretty fast and far away. This time, they were just chilling out for a long time.”

Jun Yamog said he was with his daughter when they saw the orcas.

“We haven't seen a wild one before; we have been trying for a few years,” he said.

“My daughter felt excited, but very surprised, that we were able to see one this close.”

The Department of Conservation said pods of orcas were known to venture into Wellington Harbour throughout spring and summer looking for a unique food source.

“They dig in the muddy sea bottom for stingrays and are often seen herding them into shallow water around Oriental Parade, Frank Kitts Park, and the lagoon.”

Orcas are also often seen exploring the northern end of the harbour and the Kāpiti Coast.