They didn't
STEAL it, they invented it, it was adopted after the nrl bid didn't take, they've carried on using it since, but it was Andrew chalmers brand first, and as he is running this bid again he can use it as he pleases, the Southern Orcas was always a team for both Wellington and South Island NZ, it's now wanting to be based in Christchurch, instead of Wellington this time, and will probably gain entry because of it being further away from Auckland, than last time
The Orca nickname was adopted for the 2006 season, adopting the name from the Southern Orcas consortium – a group attempting to gain an expansion National Rugby League competition licence that was instead granted to the Gold Coast Titans group. Previously they were known as Wellington Franchise.