Stranded whales going nowhere at Kaupokonui
Iwi members are camping on a South Taranaki beach to protect the carcasses of eight whales which have become a tourist attraction since washing ashore this week.
It could take up to a week to bury the sperm whales, which were found on Thursday along a 5km stretch of the rugged coastline at Kaupokonui, near Manaia.
Talks between Department of Conservation and local iwi continued on Friday on how best to remove the carcasses and where to bury them.
Despite rough seas, rain and thunderstorms, the bad weather had done nothing to keep people away, with a constant stream of visitors eager to see the whales.
One person tried to remove teeth from a carcass and was escorted off the beach by Department of Conservation staff during the day.
Manaia woman Bonita Bigham said some wha¯nau stayed at the beach most of the night and returned again at first light while DOC provided security overnight.
‘‘Today we have new eyes and are working on how best to honour Bonita Bigham
and protect these taonga that have been given to us,’’ she said.
‘‘Yesterday was shocking and upsetting and very emotional.’’
Dinah King, a Waiokura Marae and reserves trustee, said: ‘‘We’re waiting for whanaungatanga to come from around NZ to give some guidance around this and provide an understanding of it all.
‘‘We will be grateful for their help as this is all new to us. It’s a learning experience for all of us, the hapu¯ and the iwi.’’
Before the whales are buried, they are being measured and other statistical details are being recorded. While the sand dunes inland from the beach are seen as the most likely area to bury the whales, the area is home to a rare type of native craspedia plant ‘‘otakeho’’, found only in two places in Taranaki, and the DOC needs to ensure the burial does not damage the ecosystem.
DOC spokesman Des Williams said in an email that a team from Massey University was expected to arrive on Friday and might provide answers on why the whales stranded.
A veterinary pathologist was on site during Friday morning to assess if a necropsy was possible to try to determine the cause of death. Some samples are also being taken for scientific analysis.
Given the ruggedness of the coast, unfavourable weather conditions and the enormous amount of work to be done, it could be several days before the huge mammals are readied for burial.
All species of marine mammals occurring in New Zealand, and New Zealand’s fisheries waters, are protected under the Marine mammals Protection Act 1978 and it is illegal to take any parts of a dead marine mammal without a permit.