Toa was a six-month old orca who was found stranded on the rocks of Plimmerton Beach in July 2021. A team of passionate volunteers and experts in the field worked for over ten days to keep him healthy and happy, while around the country hundreds of people searched for his family. Unfortunately, before he could be reunited with his pod, Toa passed away on Friday, July 23 2021.
The Toa Legacy collection was created as a way to memorialise Toa through fundraising for future strandings. I created this design in collaboration with the Orca Research Trust, Whale-Rescue.org and Ingrid Visser, which was released as t-shirts, hoodies and beanies through the help of The Print Room. The money raised will go toward the purchase of new equipment, scientific research and conservation efforts.
My illustration and design came from a desire to try and capture some of Toa's joyful personality, optimism and charm. Nobody who spent time with Toa will ever forget him, and it's in his memory that ongoing research, conservation and stranding efforts will be continuing. Toa may have been the most recent high-profile orca stranding in New Zealand, but he certainly won't be the last.
Orca have been my favourite animal for my entire life. When it came time to start this project, there were art references all around my house. From left to right: a statue bought on a holiday overseas after seeing my first orca in person, a cushion with a print design by New Zealand artist and graphic designer Ellen Giggenbach, artwork by a friend, and my own shoulder tattoo.
My initial exploratory sketches and ideas for what a Toa design could look like. This was presented to the team at Whale Rescue and Dr Ingrid Visser, who selected her preferred design direction.
The progression of Toa's design. Dr Visser had many helpful notes on how this would look, and sent me reference images of Toa's eye patches, tail flukes, and dorsal fin to make sure we captured his spirit and physical traits accurately.
I’m really grateful to the whole team who helped Toa and all proceeds from these ‘orcasome’ items will go to protect orca and their habitat, through conservation, education and scientific research. While we couldn’t return Toa to his pod, we can carry on his legacy by spreading the word through wearing this clothing. The funds generated will be used for equipment such as hydrophones, rescue and safety gear and the ongoing costs of doing field research.
Dr Ingrid VisserOrca Research Trust
We can not thank you enough for all the time and effort put into the Toa Apparel. Without support of people like yourself we would not be able to operate, and the money raised will be put to great use researching and protecting cetaceans in New Zealand. Toa meant so much to a lot of people and having the clothing honours a very special memory. So on behalf of us and the rest of the Whale Rescue team thanks again, we are truly grateful.
Floppy Halliday & Dr Ingrid VisserWhale Rescue & Orca Research Trust
