Satellite tags show where New Zealand's sea turtles linger

Eleven green sea turtles that were rehabilitated and released are showing researchers where they pause in New Zealand waters. RNZ reported the tracking on November 1, 2026. Karen Middlemiss of the Department of Conservation, who leads the project called Team Turtle, said the temporary tags let the animals keep their ordinary routine. The turtles were cared for at Kelly Tarlton's in Auckland. The tags last about as long as their batteries, up to 12 months, and use the Kinéis set of 25 satellites.

The favourite stops are Rangaunu Bay and Harbour, Pārengarenga Harbour, Murimotu, Whangārei Harbour, and the Bay of Islands, plus Manukau Harbour. Many stay in one harbour for a long stretch, then leave. They do not breed in New Zealand. One turtle traveled down the west coast toward Wellington, spent about a month in Manukau Harbour, and went back north. Middlemiss said boaties can help by slowing down where turtles surface, posting a lookout, and fitting a propeller guard. Auckland Zoo has taken in eight unwell turtles since June, from hooks, line, boat strike, and illness. The map is of these 11 tagged animals, not a census of every turtle offshore.