Pygmy killer whales die after mass stranding on Ninety Mile Beach
Friday 2 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Department of Conservation
Between 12 and 15 pygmy killer whales have died following a mass stranding north of Hukatere on Thursday night. The Department of Conservation, iwi, and volunteers responded to the incident on Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe, where an unknown number of whales may have refloated.
Key facts
4 facts
- Between 12 and 15 pygmy killer whales died
- Stranding occurred north of Huketere on Ninety Mile Beach
- The whales were notified at approximately 7pm on Thursday
- 11 whales were euthanised on Friday morning
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Between 12 and 15 pygmy killer whales have died following a mass stranding on Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe/Ninety Mile Beach. The rare species, which can reach 2.6 metres in length, were found spread across several kilometres of beach north of Huketere. While some whales died, an unknown number may have refloated.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) was notified of the event around 7pm on Thursday. Responders, including volunteers and iwi, attempted to refloat the animals, but worsening darkness and an incoming tide forced a suspension of the rescue overnight. On Friday morning, staff assessed the whales and determined that 11 required euthanasia due to their deteriorating condition.
DoC is working with Ngāi Takoto, Ngāti Kuri, and Te Aupōuri to manage the situation. The carcasses are being moved for burial on Ngāi Takoto whenua following cultural services and tikanga processes. DoC Northern North Island Operations director Joel Lauterbach said the department's focus is gathering information to understand the circumstances of the stranding.
Trudy Brown, a Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Takoto Waimanoni board trustee, noted that the response highlighted a need for more community training regarding whale strandings. She said, “As lot of people came with the right intentions and wanted to help, but many didn’t necessarily know what to do”.
How it developed
- Fri 2 Oct, 3:16pmA similar stranding of a dozen pygmy killer whales occurred in 2018 at the same location, where only one survived.
- Fri 2 Oct, 3:16pmThe whales were located roughly 10km north of Huketere.
Where reports differ
- One report specifies the whales were roughly 10km north of Huketere, while others simply state they were north of Huketere
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff and RNZ.