The remaining seals at Napier's Marineland go into quarantine today in preparation for relocation to four of Australia's top zoos.
The eight remaining seals will be flown to their new homes following the required 120-day quarantine period.
"While it's sad to see the seals go, I'm delighted they are going to such fantastic homes. For them it will be a bit like being upgraded from a tired motel room to a suite at the Hilton," Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said.
"We've done everything we can to make sure these seals will be well-looked after and I don't think the outcome could have been any better. They are going to absolute world-class facilities."
Once quarantine is complete, the seals - five New Zealand fur seals, one Sub-Antarctic fur seal and two California Sea Lions - will be airfreighted to Sea World on the Gold Coast, Melbourne Zoo, Sydney's Taronga Zoo and Dolphin Marine Magic at Coffs Harbour.
