18 Mar 2016

Dead orca washes up on Northland beach

12:05 pm on 18 March 2016

An orca has washed up on a Northland beach.

The founder of the Orca Research Trust, Ingrid Visser, said she had just arrived at Mangawhai, where the five-metre long female whale was on the beach.

Police said the orca was dead and the local kaumatua has held a blessing.

A spokesperson said a digger has been organised.

Ms Visser said the whale appeared to have been badly bruised.