The Coastguard is appealing for sightings of a lone orca calf in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and urging those on the water to exercise caution.
The two-metre killer whale was seen in Okahu Bay on Thursday.
Coastguard spokesperson Mark Leevers says both they and an orca research vessel have been searching for the calf, but it seems it may have gone to the bottom and stayed there on Friday.
Mr Leevers says there have been reports of it approaching vessels, and this could put it in danger as well as being a hazard to boaties.
He says in order to survive, it is important the orca is reunited with its mother.
