On Monday morning, a minke whale was found dead on the shore at Goat Island. 

A rāhui has been placed by the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust from Cape Rodney – Okakari Point Marine reserve to Te Arai Point until further notice following the death of this taonga species. 

A rāhui (physical and spiritual protection mechanism) sets a temporary prohibition around an area and limits access for a set period to acknowledge the loss.

All visitors are asked to consider alternative areas while the rāhui is in place.

The eight-tonne female whale was removed from the beach, supervised by DOC officers. Local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri have requested that the body be buried. Out of respect for their wishes, the whale will be buried in an undisclosed location. The cause of death of this whale is unknown. 

Minke whales were hunted extensively by whalers during the 70s and 80s, with hundreds still being killed today under the guise of scientific research in the Southern Oceans.

Minke whales are fast, observed swimming at speeds of 30 km/h, and their surfacing can be sporadic and hard to follow. Little is therefore known about this species.