A “rare” whale has died after being beached in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast earlier this morning.
The 13 to 15-metre-long fin whale was found stranded on Peka Peka beach and was thought to be alive when it first stranded.
However, the whale died soon after Department of Conservation (DOC) staff arrived.
“Skin and blubber samples were taken for later analysis and research, and the whale was buried in the afternoon,” biodiversity ranger David Moss said.
The cause of the beaching is currently “unknown”, but DOC noted the whale was “extremely emaciated”.
“DOC is grateful for the support of Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai and Ngāti Hine, Project Jonah, Kapiti Coast District Council, local residents and Goodman contractors & Rocka Excavation who provided the heavy equipment.”
Sightings and strandings of fin whales are rare in New Zealand, with only eight records in New Zealand over the last century.
They are the second largest species on the planet behind the blue whale and can grow up to 26 metres long.
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