The incident happened in full view of a Napier family out on a boat, less than 200m from shore.
They had seen the orca chasing a stingray, and were horrified to watch as the speedboat approached and ran into the orca.
"It was clearly in distress and started to roll and swim in circles," one of the witnesses said.
Mr Norman said he understood the man belonged to a local boat club and the club had also been made aware of what had happened.
"Hopefully they had a word with him as well."
He said with infringement legislation now in place, people exceeding inshore speed limits would face immediate fines up to $200, and could also, depending on circumstances, face full prosecution.
The penalties in that case would be "far greater," he said.