An extremely rare visitor to New Zealand from South America. A porpoise that is a long way from home. Named after German zoologist Hermann Burmeister, only a handful of records exist. Some of those may be misidentifications. It is very similar in appearance to the spectacled porpoise. Distinguishing the two requires careful examination. The species is shy and elusive. It is rarely seen even in its native range along the coasts of Peru, Chile, and Argentina. A porpoise that does not want to be seen. Burmeister's porpoise has a distinctive dark grey to black body with a lighter belly. The dorsal fin is unusually tall and pointed. It is located far back on the body. The species is a deep diver, hunting near the seafloor for fish and squid. It is not known to bow-ride or interact with boats. It surfaces briefly and disappears. This makes it difficult to study. Most of what is known about its behaviour comes from animals caught accidentally in fishing nets. A porpoise that is known mostly by its deaths. Why would a South American porpoise appear in New Zealand? The most likely explanation is that it is lost. The individuals found here may have been carried by currents. They may have been disoriented by storms. They may have followed a warm water mass across the Pacific. Or they may not be Burmeister's porpoises at all. Some records may be misidentified spectacled porpoises or other species. Until genetic evidence confirms the sightings, the mystery remains. The porpoise from South America is a puzzle. New Zealand is a long way from home. The beach is cold. The porpoise lies on the sand, dark grey and still. It should be in South America. It is here instead. No one knows why. The porpoise is not saying.