Mass cetacean stranding in New Zealand

2026, November 5. New Zealand, south coast of Wairarapa, Cape Palliser, south towards Black Rocks Point, rocky beach at Ngawi. A mass stranding of ~20 long finned Black Dolphins (pilot whales). The individuals were spread out over 1000m, near Mangatoetoe Beach. Only four alive on discovery. DOC staff, local iwi, and Project Jonah were mobilised. DOC attempted a re-float surviving whales at the 2:30 PM high tide. Mountains to Sea Wellington and tangata whenua kaitiaki called for public assistance to keep the stranded whales comfortable until high tide. Will update as further information is obtained. 

Note: Awaiting GOES East Satellite Data for confirmation on the atmospheric disturbance, reported on October 29, east of Cook Strait. See post below regarding MAD Alert issued in October.