The Department of Conservation has been notified of a dead orca in the shallows on the beach north of Waimairi.
DOC staff, local iwi and members of Project Jonah are at the scene and will remain overnight to keep it secure.
DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says the sea conditions are challenging and they expect to leave the adult orca where it is until tomorrow's low tide.
"We understand the orca was dead when it was spotted by a member of the public who alerted us. We ask that the public stay away to give staff and iwi the space to respond to this incident," he says.
Andy Thompson says a vet will fly down to Christchurch from Massey University tomorrow morning and will perform a necropsy on the orca to try and determine why the animal died. Appropriate tikanga will be followed and the orca will then be buried on the beach.
"It's unusual for an adult orca to be found dead in the shallows like this and in good condition. Our national marine team are very keen to find out why the animal has passed away," he says.
