A whale washed up on Porongahau Beach in Southern Hawke's Bay yesterday.
DoC marine ranger Rod Hansen said the 3m pygmy sperm whale was found dead about 200m from the local campground.
It had likely died of natural causes.
"Whales are a bit like humans, they have a fear of drowning," he said. "Often they come into shallow water so they can rest on the bottom."
He said sickness may have drawn the whale into shore. It was not common to see this species close up.