Moko the dolphin has left Gisborne and seems to have headed around East Cape into the Bay of Plenty.
The playful bottlenose dolphin has been a tourist attraction, frolicking close to the shore with beachgoers.
Gisborne's Waikanae Beach Surf Life Saving Club manager Gary Stevens says Moko followed a fishing trawler into the Bay of Plenty on Wednesday and has not been seen since.
Mr Stevens says reports that Moko was aggressive were not true and Gisborne people would be pleased if the dolphin returned.
He says Moko was wonderful and playful and good with children. People traveled large distances to Gisborne to play with Moko, which was good for business in the city.
Mr Stevens says Moko may have moved as far north as Tauranga.
