The consensus is that the creature is a member of the torpedo family, a type of electric ray, which got a little too greedy and choked on its last meal, possibly a kahawai.
Phil McGowan, of Kelly Tarlton's in Auckland, believed it was a New Zealand torpedo or Torpedo fairchildi .
Known as mata or whai repo in Maori, the rays grow up to a metre long and lurk on the sea bottom waiting for prey to pass by. The photo shows its underside, where its mouth is.
Northland marine expert Wade Doak confirmed the mystery creature was a type of electric ray, and it was not the first time he had seen a fish choke to death on an over-size meal. Snapper and john dory came to mind as candidates for the fatal dinner.
Rays usually fed on shellfish and sea biscuits but were opportunistic and would try whatever came their way, he said.
Mr Whitefield was not disappointed his find was not a two-tailed monster of the deep, saying it was still "totally fascinating".
He is calling it "the last supper".
