The mission to reunite a young orca with its family has become an international effort.
Up and down the country, whale watchers are on the lookout for the orca pod, and the Department of Conservation has been working with vets to gather advice from scientists overseas.
The orca calf which has been photographed cuddling up to volunteers in the water, has been unofficially named Toa - which in Māori can translate as "courage".
Department of Conservation's marine species manager Ian Angus spoke to Corin Dann.
