Mates fishing trip turns into a close encounter with pod of orca

Three mates on a fishing trip got more than the snapper they had come out for when they snagged a close encounter with a pod of orca.

Gareth Pritchard and friends Glen Toms and Garry Toms were out for a spot of fishing near Wellington at the weekend when they stopped behind Mana Island.

"All of a sudden, as I get the rod up, I hear the noise - the blowhole 'psshh!'.

"We all kind of look up at the same time and we're like: 'Holy crap! There's a whole bunch of fins coming towards us'.

Gareth Pritchard (pictured) is a keen fisherman. Photo / Supplied

Pritchard, 30, quickly grabbed his cellphone and started recording.

"One literally came up under the boat and then decided to give us a little nudge. Gave us a push,'' he laughed.

"It was bloody crazy seeing that - it was cool.''

The orca hit the vessel with so much force that Pritchard fell back. Seconds after he got back up, another orca hit the boat again.

On the video footage later shared with friends online, Pritchard gives a commentary of the events unfolding in front of him.

"Check out these fellas come for a look! (sic). Wooh! There's a whole pod of them.''

The camera suddenly jerks, as Pritchard falls, and he says: "Wow! He [expletive] hit the boat!''

Another mate can be heard in the background, roaring with laughter.

Pritchard said he and his mates had enjoyed their trip and they came away with snapper, kīngi and hāpuka to show for it.

But the orca encounter was the catch of the day.

"That's the first time I've had an encounter like that, definitely. I've seen them before, but nothing like that.

"It was incredible.''