Giant of the deep could help save forest giants

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Since a dead sperm whale was found on a Coromandel beach, it has been towed to a new site and iwi have begun stripping its carcass. Video first published October 26 2022.

The bull sperm whale Puhiwai Rangi that washed up dead in the rohe of Coromandel iwi Ngāti Hei is proving to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Read this story in te reo Māori and English here. / Pānuitia tēnei i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ki konei.

“It’s a gift from Tangaroa, who we have a strong relationship with as the iwi of Mercury Bay”, Ngāti Hei kaumātua Joe Davis said on Thursday.

After some initial confusion about how to deal with the whale’s carcass, flensing and a subsequent cultural harvesting of spiritually, artistic and scientifically significant elements began on Wednesday afternoon.

With assistance from Northland iwi Ngātiwai whanaunga and whale tohunga (expert), Hori Parata, the dead whale will be put to good use making carvings, oils and potentially, remedies for kauri dieback disease.

The flensing gets underway on Wednesday afternoon.

Ngāti Hei kaumātua Joe Davis, pictured on his rohe on the Coromandel Peninsula.

* Iwi start stripping whale carcass on Coromandel beach, focussing on head and jawbone

A team of Ngāti Hei and Ngātiwai members begin the extraction of bone and fat from Puhiwai Rangi, the dead sperm whale.

“We associate the tohorā with kauri”, Davis said, “we think the whale oil might play a role there.”

The unique ao Māori approach to a problem that plagues Coromandel forests will see iwi liaise with scientists to potentially pioneer a new approach to an old problem, he said.

“We’ll be working with other iwi as well, and scientists to see whether whale oil might have an effect on kauri [dieback].”

The flensing process is also an exercise in tikanga for the iwi. Overseen with ritual, Davis said reverence will be paid to the creature of the deep.

“This process is very ritualistic. Anything we do will be done with all due respect.”

Puhiwai Rangi at the southern end of Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach, it was found on Saturday at Matapaua Bay and was towed to its current location on Sunday.

That extends to the traditional craft of carving amulets and art from its bones.

“A master carver will certainly do the carvings. They might take inspiration from the whale itself.”

Not only has the arrival of the dead whale provided an opportunity for traditional practises to be continued and evolved, it also acts as a valuable learning opportunity for Ngāti Hei.

Parata and his team of experts have been essential in preserving elements of the whale for cultural and spiritual use.

“They were our first port of call once we made the decision to move the whale here, to Wharekaho.”

Once all useful elements have been removed, the rest of the carcass will be buried on land adjacent to the beach.

The decision to move the whale from its original landing place at Matapaua, 12km north, was met with doubt from some locals.

But Davis said as things developed and the iwi and DOC devised a plan, interested parties are now welcome to approach DOC rangers to view the carcass.

“Small groups, of ones, twos and threes have been welcomed in to have a look.”

Davis was positive about the experience thus far.

“It’s been a learning experience for us as well”, Davis said.

“Fifty-five tonnes is enough for us to learn on.”