The whale was probably a blue whale, but whether it is a pygmy blue or a true blue whale would not be known until samples taken by the Department of Conservation had been analysed, Forest & Bird marine mammal specialist Anton van Helden said. By Mike Dinsdale - Northern AdvocateA 22-metre long blue whale washed up on a private Far North beach has excited a marine mammal expert but also sparked a health warning as the giant sea creature decomposes. It washed up on a private beach, about 40 minutes north of Kerikeri, on Saturday. Land owner Andrea, who does not want her last name used, said the whale washed up on the family's private beach during Saturday's heavy storm about 5pm. "DoC said it had probably been in the water dead before the storm brought it ashore.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 12, 2016 21:21 UTC