Whale dies after washing ashore near Napier

Would-be helpers could only watch as an 11m female sperm whale struggled in surf at Clive, 10km south of Napier before it washed ashore and died.

Department of Conservation ranger Hans Rook was called to the scene on Saturday night, but rough seas prevented him from either helping the whale, believed to be up to 40 years old, or putting it out of its misery.

Mr Rook says the whale was probably ill or had been hit by a boat.