Whale processing in New Zealand: A look inside the cultural practice

Whale Standing Mahia

The discovery of a 16-metre-long bull sperm whale washed up dead in the shallows at Opoutama Beach during October drew public intrigue and emotion. Specialists from Massey University carried out a post-mortem on the whale before it was released by the Department of Conservation to the Māhia Māori Committee (MMC) for a blessing and cultural harvesting. 

The customary processing of whale still holds much mystery for many New Zealanders but a piece published earlier this month by Northland media outlet Te Hiku gives a good insight into the significance of the practice and the tikanga associated with it.

It is republished here for Gisborne Herald readers with Te Hiku’s permission.

Whale Flensing:  A Cultural and Practical Tradition in Aotearoa

Whale flensing is the process of stripping blubber and flesh from a whale carcase. It has deep historical roots and cultural significance in various maritime communities worldwide. In the context of Aotearoa, where iwi Māori have a profound connection to the sea, whale flensing holds cultural, practical, and symbolic importance.

Whale flensing has been practised in Aotearoa for centuries, with evidence suggesting that both Māori and European settlers engaged in this activity.

Whale flensing involves meticulously removing blubber and meat from the whale’s carcase, typically after a communal effort to bring the whale ashore.

Māori, alongside Polynesian navigators, have a profound connection with the ocean and its resources. Whales, in particular, hold immense cultural significance for Māori. They are regarded as sacred, embodying ancestral spirits and serving as symbols of abundance and strength.

Māori engagement in whale flensing is not merely a practical activity but a cultural ritual deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs. The practice often involves elaborate ceremonies and traditional karakia that honour the whale’s spirit and express gratitude for the resources it provides.

Māori have historically utilised every part of the whale, ensuring minimal waste. Beyond the primary products of blubber and meat, bones were fashioned into tools and ornaments, while the baleen served various purposes, from constructing items to cultural adornments.

Māori understanding of the environment is grounded in principles of sustainability. In the past, whale flensing was a sustainable practice, as it allowed communities to harvest resources while ensuring the balance and continuity of the marine ecosystem. This perspective aligns with traditional Māori concepts such as kaitiakitanga, emphasising responsible guardianship and stewardship of natural resources.

Some of the traditional practices involved in flensing include:

• Naming the tohorā

• Only doing mahi during the daylight

• Considering where the tohorā stranded and which iwi or hapū are involved in setting tikanga in relation to the local surroundings and history (mana whenua)

• Establishing the correct tikanga for the situation moving forward

• Keeping kai away from the tohorā

• Setting up specific areas for medics, gear set up, cutting and kai

• Karakia

• Giving the eye of the tohorā back to Tangaroa

• Using all resources, treating the stranding as a koha to the people

• Kotahitanga, utilising the skills of the people to allocate specific roles to

• Not taking part in cutting if you have open wounds to reduce cross-contamination or infection.

As whales are considered taonga by Māori, and the act of whale flensing is not just an economic activity but a spiritual one, the process is often accompanied by rituals acknowledging the mauri of the whale and expressing gratitude to Tangaroa for providing such a valuable resource.

In contemporary New Zealand, while whale flensing may not be as widespread as in the past due to changes in technology, regulations, and societal values, it continues to hold cultural importance. Efforts are made to blend traditional practices with modern conservation principles, acknowledging the delicate balance between cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.

The practice of whale flensing faces challenges in the modern era, particularly concerning conservation and ethical considerations. Whale populations globally have faced threats from commercial whaling and environmental changes. Today, Māori communities actively engage in conservation efforts, recognising the need to protect these majestic creatures that are deeply ingrained in their cultural identity.

In the past six months, Te Taitokerau has experienced a larger than usual number of whale strandings of different species. These taonga have stranded in different rohe-ā-iwi but the same care and manaaki have been shown to express gratitude and great compassion to either refloat, bury or flense these tūpuna.

In February 2023, Ngāitakoto and Te Rarawa experienced the stranding of three tohorā along the mid to southern end of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē. The next day, Te Aupōuri experienced another stranding but it was deceased and then in August 2023 they practised flensing on a deceased parāoa (sperm whale). More recently, Ngāti Kuri have practiced flensing on more tohorā.

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri spoke to Te Hiku Radio about the collaboration between iwi and manuhiri who worked on the flensing.

“Hori Parata, son of Te Kaurinui Parata (Ngāti Wai), and their team shared their knowledge of flensing and harvesting. We had our people there to be instructed, to learn, to share that particular piece of our coast there, Waimahuru,” she said.

Whale flensing in New Zealand is a culturally rich and historically rooted practice among the Māori people. Beyond its practical aspects, the ritual carries spiritual significance, connecting Māori with their ancestral roots, the ocean, and the sacredness of whales.

As iwi Māori navigate the complexities of modern conservation and cultural preservation, whale flensing serves as a symbol of the delicate balance between tradition and sustainability in the evolving relationship between the Māori and the ocean.