A 12-metre-long humpback whale has died after stranding on a beach in the Firth of Thames.
The whale was reported to the Department of Conservation about 7pm yesterday evening and a response team was on site before 9pm.
The DoC team was joined by iwi and local volunteers, including a member of the fire brigade who supported efforts to keep the whale comfortable.
![Fire crew, Department of Conservation, iwi and community members care for the stranded humpback whale. Photo / Kaiaua Volunteer Rural Fire Force](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/T2FK7RCJIAGSQGCDCOKPCFMSNI.jpg?auth=c9cb9247584aaa3ab44949326f5df825c01c7805337de99d85d25820f7785be5&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
DoC Hauraki operations manager Avi Holzapfel praised the dedication of the team who attended to the whale in its final hours and stayed with it overnight.