The whale at Hokio Beach.
The whale at Hokio Beach.
The remains of a huge sperm whale have washed ashore at Hokio Beach near Levin this morning.

The dead whale was spotted at first light by people taking an early morning walk and also by a couple of people on horse back.

Hapu from local iwi Muaūpoko were gathering to observe tikanga and conduct a karakia as the waves nudged the beast closer the waters edge.

The whale was being carried in by the incoming tide although the surf was very small. High tide at the beach today was just before lunch today.


The jaw bone would be cut from the whale and kept by the iwi, while the remainder of the whale would be buried on the beach.

The call was going out for machinery suitable to dig a hole big enough. It was certainly a large specimen.

Word of the whale sighting quickly spread and there were many cars and people driving to get a closer look. It was also attracting the attention of seagulls.

There was no way of knowing just how old the whale was yet or whether it had died of natural causes, although some onlookers did say they had picked up on a pungent smell.

Department of Conservation were notified about the discovery and have assigned a ranger on site, accompanied by local iwi.

Herb Christophers from DOC's Customer Engagement Unit said the carcass was as yet inaccessible while the tide was coming in.

Source: WHANGANUI CHRONICLE