Whale washed up in South Taranaki will be honoured by local Māori

The young sperm whale was the 13th to turn up along the South Taranaki coast recently.

Another whale has been found dead on the South Taranaki coast.

Twelve whales were found around Kaupokonui Beach at the end of May and the latest, an 11m sperm whale, was found last Friday .

The Ngāti Ruanui tribe discovered the whale along the Waihi Beach coastline but are not saying exactly where, to avoid people coming to a dangerous location, which was described as "rugged and often inaccessible".

A spokesman for Ngāti Ruanui, Rukutai Watene, said the numbers of whales beaching on the South Taranaki coast were unprecedented.

"We can't determine what's happening out in the ocean but we can learn to manage these losses in a way that brings to life cultural practices that honour and pay respect."

Watene said the Northland iwi Ngāti Wai were experienced at carrying out the traditional farewell and they would come down to assist with the ceremony.

Kaiarataki (a leader) for Te Rūnanga of Ngāti Ruanui, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, said the past would help when trying to understand why the whales were turning up.

"It is highly unusual and there is concern about a young, healthy male pod washing up in these numbers," she said.

"As it is the first in many of our lifetimes, the time is right to learn through this process, allowing traditions to continue with future generations and to understand more of what's happening out there."

Ngarewa-Packer thanked support Ngāti Ruanui had received from Ngāti Wai and Ngā Ruahine in helping care for the whale.

"This is an intense process which we undertake with careful consideration. It takes many people to respectfully receive this precious gift named Utungia," she said.

Ngāti Ruanui said a number of other agencies were supporting the process including the Department of Conservation as well as the Taranaki Regional and District Councils.