Boats are being used to try to move a pod of orca in an inlet north of Wellington out to sea.
Photo: Unsplash / Tim Cole
The pod is in the Pāuatahanui Inlet, close to the Porirua suburb of Plimmerton where a baby orca stranded on rocks last month and later died.
The Department of Conservation, Ngāti Toa iwi and Project Jonah are using five boats to try to prevent the pod stranding.
DOC marine species manager Ian Angus says the attempt to shepherd the orca out of the inlet is being made because of the risk of their stranding and out of concern for their wellbeing.
"We have concerns, in particular, for the wellbeing of the large male orca as its dorsal fin is drooping which is a sign it may be stressed.
"This technique of gently shepherding marine mammals with boats has been used with success in New Zealand and overseas in the past."
Orca are known to go into shallow water and estuaries to feed on stringrays and orca have been seen around the inlet before.
DOC says the safety of the people involved is a priority and the orca and it will be monitoring for any sign of adverse reaction from the orca.
"The shepherding may not work this first time round and we may make further attempts in the next day or two, depending on the condition and situation with the orca.
"This isn't an action we often take but, given our concern about the wellbeing of the orca and the risk the orca could strand, we have decided on balance we should try this intervention in the interests of their welfare and safety."
DOC reminded people that only essential travel is allowed under alert level 4 and people should not go to the area to see the orca.
DOC staff are working closely with police who are ensuring alert level 4 requirements are being met.
Orca have a conservation threat status of nationally critical and the New Zealand population is thought to only number 150 to 200 individuals.