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.