Nicky the orca makes rare visit

Nicky the orca, photographed in Browns Bay, is clearly identified by the notch on her fin. Picture / Ingrid Visser

Nicky the orca doesn't often visit Auckland, but when she does she invariably makes a splash with the locals.

The killer whale, named for a large nick out of her fin, was a rare treat for those who spotted her on Sunday morning.

It is the first time since 1993 that she has been spotted in Auckland waters, when she was photographed off Browns Bay.

And despite the occasional visits, she clearly likes the place - at the weekend Nicky brought about 25 family and friends.

Orca researcher Ingrid Visser said the pod was spotted by a member of the public at about 10.30am on Sunday from Waiheke. The whales then made their way to Home Bay, Motutapu Island, where they were seen by a coastguard boat.

Nicky, who is between 32 and 36-years-old, was first photographed in 1985 off Rangitoto lighthouse. She already had the notch in her fin.

On Sunday she had a brand-new calf with her, less than a month old, and Dr Visser had the rare experience of seeing her suckling the calf.

Also among the pod was Rua, an adult male, and his mother, Yin. Rua stranded two years ago on a beach near Whakatane and was rescued by a rugby team staying at the local camping ground.

"Rua is doing really well since his rescue and he was seen babysitting some of the younger orca in the group," said Dr Visser.

The scientist was with some of the orca on Friday in the Bay of Islands - about 42 hours before they were noticed in Auckland.

"This is a distance of approximately 120 nautical miles," she said. "Who knows when they actually arrived in the Hauraki Gulf. This is a reasonable indicator of the types of travel typical for New Zealand orca. No other orca in the world are known to travel so much."

Dr Visser has spent the past 13 years studying the local orca population of between 100 and 200. Contribute to her work if you spot orca by calling 0800 SEE ORCA.