Sacred parts of a 16m sperm whale which died stranded on a Northern Hawke's Bay beach will return to the sea to be cleaned, before being given to local iwi.
The male whale washed up at Mahia Beach on Friday night, died from natural causes the following morning, and was buried by Sunday evening. It was thought to be quite old.
Before it was buried, local iwi removed its jaw bone and "very worn" teeth. Whales are sacred to Maori and for centuries their teeth and bones have been used by Maori for carving. Historically the whale's oil and meat were also used.
Rongomaiwahine kaumatua Arthur Williams presided over the "big process" - one of hundreds he has been involved with since learning the practice from his grandfather when he was 10.
"There is a correct way of carrying out this act, from the karakia performed, to how the body parts are removed. This is done to "appease the gods" - specifically Tangaroa, the god of the sea - and to make sure the carcass suffered as little damage as possible", he said.