Orca delights onlookers as it swims directly outside Plimmerton’s The Jetty bistro near Porirua

The orcas delighted onlookers watching from the bistro, beach and on the rocks for “a good 10, 15 minutes, and then they made their way up to Pukerua Bay”, Beaulieu said.

Orca are known to hunt stingray close to the shore. Photo / Simone Beaulieu

Orcas appear in New Zealand waters year-round, but sightings become more noticeable in spring and summer, according to the Department of Conservation (DoC).

DoC said: “their movements are largely influenced by food availability rather than a particular beach or time of year”.

Despite being called killer whales, orca are the largest member of the dolphin family.

Plimmerton Beach is familiar with orca experiences. In 2021 calf Toa gained international attention when he stranded on the shore.

After a major community effort to save him, including shifting the young orca to a sea pen in the Plimmerton Boating Club, Toa died after 13 days.

Beaulieu said staff nearly called DoC after the orcas came close to the rocks.

DoC said they often hunt for stingray in shallow coastal waters so there was no need for concern.

Justin Stretch cradles the orca pup, named Toa, at the Plimmerton boat ramp in July 2021. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A DoC spokesperson said it’s always exciting to see orca and Wellington sightings are not unusual.

“If people are lucky enough to spot orca, we encourage them to enjoy the experience from a safe distance and give the animals plenty of space.”

They encouraged anyone who sees orca to observe them responsibly and “help protect these remarkable marine mammals”.

Keep at least 50 metres away from orca when in a vessel.Avoid obstructing their path or separating individuals from a group.Never swim with orca.Avoid making sudden changes in speed or direction around marine mammals.

Beaulieu said she loved working at The Jetty because of the sunset view “and then on top of that, I got to see a couple orcas”.

Grace Symmans is a Wellington-based reporter who covers news in the capital. Grace joined NZME in 2025 as a producer for Wellington Mornings on Newstalk ZB. She can be emailed at grace.symmans@nzme.co.nz.