The whales is reportedly stranded at a beach in Mangawhai. Photo / Supplied via Jason Stitt
An orca found stranded in Northland has died.
Orca expert Ingrid Visser said the orca was on the beach just north of the Mangawhai Heads Surf Life Saving Club and was dead.
The orca is believed to have washed up on the beach early today.
Dr Visser said there had been reports of an orca pod in Whangarei Harbour and at Waipu Cove this week and it was possible the dead orca was a member of that pod.
She was still in the process of identifying the orca and work would be done to see whether a cause of death could be established.
It's the second report of an orca dying on a New Zealand beach this week after another stranded on the beach at Patea on Monday.
The victim was dragged when she tried to retrieve her handbag as her assailant drove away.