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A Pacific green sea turtle that survived serious illness and the loss of a flipper has died after being struck by a boat near Shakespear Regional Park.
The female turtle, named Waewae Toru, was found on a Whangaparāoa beach during Matariki weekend with large fractures to her shell. The injuries were consistent with a propeller strike and she died before reaching Auckland Zoo’s veterinary hospital.
Waewae Toru, which means “three foot”, was well known to Team Turtle, a partnership involving the Department of Conservation (DOC), Auckland Zoo and Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, working with iwi partners.
Her microchip and flipper tags allowed the team to identify her and trace her recovery history.
Auckland Zoo senior clinical veterinarian Dr Adam Naylor says Waewae Toru first came into the zoo’s care in August 2023 after washing ashore at Omamari Beach near Dargaville.
She was critically ill with a severe respiratory infection. Her missing right front flipper was an older, well-healed injury and was not the reason she required treatment.
Zoo staff stabilised her and treated the infection before she moved to Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium for further rehabilitation.
General Manager, Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s, Dan Henderson says the loss of Waewae Toru had been incredibly heartbreaking for everyone, particularly the team members who cared for the turtle throughout the two-year rehabilitation.
“Our team invests an enormous amount of time, expertise and care into every animal that comes through our doors, so seeing Waewae Toru successfully return to the ocean on December 3, 2025 was a proud and emotional milestone.
“While we are devastated by this outcome, we are also incredibly proud to have given her a second chance. Rehabilitation is about returning animals to the wild, where they inevitably face the same natural and human-related threats as other marine wildlife.
“Waewae Toru became a much-loved ambassador for sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation, inspiring thousands of guests to learn about these remarkable animals and the challenges they face. Our hope is that this story raises greater awareness of one of the biggest threats to sea turtles in New Zealand: vessel strikes.”
Naylor says a post-mortem examination showed Waewae Toru had been in excellent condition before the boat strike
“Her intestines were full of food, so she had clearly been thriving in the wild,” he says.
“After such a long journey back to health and progressing so well, it is particularly sad that this turtle had her life cut short in this way.”
Sea turtles are present year-round in the Hauraki Gulf and other coastal waters of the upper North Island. They are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953.
Team Turtle says slowing down in known turtle habitat is the most effective way for boat crews to see and avoid them.
Boaties are also encouraged to nominate a crew member to watch for turtles, wear polarised sunglasses to improve visibility below the water’s surface and consider fitting a propeller guard.
Any sea turtle found on a beach in New Zealand is likely to be ill and needs immediate care. Sightings should be reported to DOC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). A photograph may help DOC assess the animal.
Healthy turtles seen at sea can also be reported by emailing turtles@doc.govt.nz, helping DOC monitor where they are being seen.
Green sea turtles do not breed in New Zealand, but juveniles and sub-adults visit warmer northern waters while feeding and growing.
