The New Zealand Arrow Squid (Nototodarus sloanii), also called the Wellington flying squid, wheketere in Māori, or simply arrow squid, is a species of squid found in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Zealand. It is a favored prey species of a number of marine mammals including seals, sea lions, and sperm whales) and diving birds. It is an important food source for the Australasian fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) and 2 endangered species: the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) and the yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). New Zealand arrow squid is sought by trawler fishermen for human consumption; New Zealand sea lions are frequently caught in trawl nets and drowned when feeding on New Zealand arrow squid.
They often feed on amphipods, tiny microscopic animals floating in the water, as well as small fish and smaller squid. Arrow squid are much smaller than their large relatives, the giant and colossal squid, which have also been known to prey on them.