In the early hours of this morning a large orca that became trapped in some crayfish pot ropes at Kennedy Bay, north of New Chums Beach, was freed by Mat Collicot, the Whitianga harbour master, and Hayden Smith, the owner of Cathedral Cove Water Taxi.

We understand the orca has been trapped for several hours.

We hope to publish in next week’s Informer more about the rescue effort.

However, a consequence of the rescue is that Mat has been stood down from his job as harbour master by Waikato Regional Council, apparently because he used a WRC boat at night time. In Mat’s words, “Hayden ran the plan, I just drove the boat.”

It needs to be noted that Mat has resigned as harbour master several weeks ago. Tomorrow was to be his last day in the job.

We have enquired from WRC why Mat has been stood down where, according to a huge number of people who have contacted us, he should be publicly lauded for his effort early this morning.

This is the reply we have received from WRC chief executive Vaughan Payne -

“WRC confirms a staff member was involved last night in using a council vessel in the freeing of an orca trapped in crayfish pot ropes at Kennedy Bay on the Coromandel.

“The council acknowledges the staff member’s good intent.

“However, the council is checking whether any regulations were breached or operational procedures not followed during the rescue.

“It will co-operate with Department of Conservation inquiries into the matter.

“In the meantime, the staff member - who is due to leave the council’s employment tomorrow after resigning some time ago - is not doing operational duties today and tomorrow while inquiries continue.

“The council expects its inquiry into the issues will take some time.

“The health and safety of staff is our primary concern in such circumstances.”

The last word in this matter has not yet been spoken.