A large whale washed up dead on Hōkio Beach. Muaūpoko Iwi, as mana whenua, were responsible for ensuring the whale’s remains were treated according to tikanga. It is believed to have been Pygmy Blue Whale.

4 Sep 2020: Muaūpoko Iwi observe tikanga as dead whale washes up on Hōkio Beach

7 Sep 2020: Whale remains at Hōkio Beach too decomposed to find cause of death