A baby orca separated from its pod in Tauranga Harbour has been affectionately named 'Bob' by locals.
The calf orca has been separated from its family pod for more than a week and has remained in local waters since.
International orca expert Jeff Foster arrived from America on Thursday to monitor the distressed orca and provide assistance and advice. The Department of Conservation and Orca Research Trust founder Dr Ingrid Visser have also been monitoring the calf, whose health is suffering.
DOC ranger Kate Miller said there were meetings held yesterday to help determine what options were available and feasible to help reunite the lost orca with its pod, or possibly that of another family unit.
Ms Miller said while authorities have only been referring the whale as 'the calf', local residents have begun calling it 'Bob'.