Sperm Whale

A male sperm whale measuring  about 15 meters was washed up to a local beach. 

It is thought he died of natural causes .

 Crowds came to pay their respects.

 The news spread and coverage was on tv and radio.

 The local Iwi Te Atiawa ki Whakarongota and Department of Conservation agreed for the local Maori to remove the whales jawbone, teeth and possibly the ear bone.

A beautiful  Karakia was given by the Maori elders - which always sends a tingle up my spine.

 I felt quite emotional being present. There was discontent of how the Maori's had the right to cross the barrier but not other New Zealander's. For me personally I was pleased for the barrier to give the whale space and dignity.

 It is thought that Māori did not actively hunt whales, but they were known to force whales to beach themselves. Whales provided meat, which was eaten fresh, hung to dry or cooked in a hāngī (earth oven). Milk was taken from a suckling mother, oil was used for polish and scent, and teeth were made into ornaments and jewellery such as the prized rei puta (whale-tooth neck ornament).
Whalebone, in particular the jawbones from the parāoa (sperm whale), was fashioned into weapons like patu, taiaha, tewhatewha, and hoeroa, and other objects like heru (combs), tokotoko (walking sticks), and hei tiki (neck ornaments).
From Source

 I was very humbled to be so close to a sperm whale. In the morning the tide was in. I returned in the evening when the tide was out and spent at least two hours in the evening being present with the whale.

I felt anguish that the whale could not just be buried. many people left the beach in tears possibly feeling the same way. I'm unsure what the plans are for the whales jaw bone and teeth are. By law the whale bone can not be sold but gifted to carvers or possibly gifted to Te papa.