Whale washes up at Rabbit Island

A 17-metre long sperm whale has washed up on Moturoa/Rabbit Island.

Department of Conservation Motueka operations manager, Chris Golding, says the dead whale was reported to DOC on Wednesday morning.

"The 17-metre long male adult sperm whale is likely to have died of natural causes," he says.

He says DOC is consulting with Te Tau Ihu iwi representatives on options for what will happen with the remains of the whale.

"We advise people to keep away from the whale and not to touch it for health reasons."

Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust chair Rōpata Taylor and trustee Barney Thomas attended the stranding on Wednesday afternoon to perform a karakia.  

Karakia is the basis of traditional flensing as the whale is given passage to move from one life to another.