Date:  12 January 2026

12 January 2026

Eleven pilot whales were found re-stranded at Onetahua/Farwell Spit this morning, alongside two which sadly died overnight.

A condition assessment was carried out this morning by DOC staff and Project Jonah, with support from Massey University experts via video link. Unfortunately, the whales are not in good condition after five days of strandings, and it was determined euthanasia is the most humane option.

The whales are very tired and showing signs of acute stress. With poor weather conditions for refloating today, they are not expected to be able to survive another refloating attempt.

This is not the outcome we had hoped for, but the decision has been made with the welfare of the whales in mind.

We want to thank Project Jonah, Manawhenua ki Mohua, Tasman Bay Guardians, and the hundreds of volunteers who have put a huge amount of time and energy into responding to this stranding.

11 January 2026

Evening update:

This afternoon, DOC staff, alongside Project Jonah, Manawhenua ki Mohua, and volunteers, managed to refloat the remaining 13 pilot whales. The whales appear to be swimming well, however, they have not yet entered deeper water and the risk of re-stranding remains.

Staff will return at first light to see how the situation has progressed.

Morning update: 

Today the pilot whales have restranded in two groups. A group of five stranded near Whitehouse Creek, just south of Pūponga, one of which has passed away. A second group of nine has re-stranded near Triangle Flat.

Of the initial 15 stranded, one whale is no longer present, and it is assumed to have swum into deeper waters.

We currently have enough volunteers onsite to manage the whales through the dry phase.

Volunteers to assist with a refloat attempt should be onsite at 2 pm with wetsuits, in preparation for a high tide around 4 pm.

10 January 2026

Evening update:

DOC staff, Project Jonah, Manawhenua ki Mohua, and volunteers attempted to refloat 15 whales stranded at Farewell Spit this evening. After initially heading for deeper water, the whales turned west and re-stranded on a sandbar at Pūponga.

A high tide tonight may allow the whales to refloat themselves. We continue to work to keep the whales comfortable, and will reassess first thing tomorrow.

Morning update:

Unfortunately, 15 whales became re-stranded on Friday night, and DOC staff, Project Jonah, Manawhenua ki Mohua, and volunteers have continued their work through today to help the whales.

The team are now working, with the aid of the tide, to re-orient the whales to encourage them back into deeper water.

9 January 2026

The whales slowly and steadily headed out of the intertidal zone and have made it safely into deeper waters.

Although we are cautiously optimistic, there remains a possibility the whales could turn and re-strand, and we will be monitoring the situation until dusk and responding as appropriate. Staff will also be back to check for the whales at first light tomorrow morning.

There are pilot whale strandings at Farewell Spit most years which is a natural occurrence. Farewell Spit is a naturally occurring “whale trap” that occurs along a migratory route for long-finned pilot whales in New Zealand. The spit hooks around the northern entrance into Golden Bay forming extensive intertidal sand flats flanked by gently shelving waters offshore. Whales may be easily deceived and caught out by the gently sloping tidal flats and a rapidly falling tide. 

Pilot whales have strong social bonds and if one whale heads into shallow water, the rest of the pod will follow due to their natural instinct to look after one another.

8 January 2026

A refloat was attempted for the 15 stranded pilot whales at the Friday afternoon high tide, thanks to the efforts of DOC staff, Project Jonah, Manawhenua ki Mohua, and volunteers.

DOC was alerted to a pod of pilot whales in shallow waters in the Farewell Spit area about 11 am this morning.

We responded with a boat on the water and staff on the ground. The boat has been monitoring the movements of the pod. Staff, Project Jonah members and volunteers have been helping by standing in the water and directing the whales away from the shallows. We’ve also notified Manawhenua ki Mohua.

We’ve been lucky with the tides until now but unfortunately the pilot whales are starting to strand as the tide goes out.

It’s too early to say how many whales are stranding, we will have an accurate number after the tide reaches its low point.

There will be people out with the whales until dark tonight and then people will be back out at first light.

Farewell Spit is a naturally occurring “whale trap” that occurs along a migratory route for long-finned pilot whales in New Zealand. The spit hooks around the northern entrance into Golden Bay forming extensive intertidal sand flats flanked by gently shelving waters offshore. Whales may be easily deceived and caught out by the gently sloping tidal flats and a rapidly falling tide.

Pilot whales have strong social bonds and if one whale heads into shallow water, the rest of the pod will follow due to their natural instinct to look after one another.

For more information on whale strandings: Why do marine mammals strand

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