Kaiaua Whale Response - A Thankyou
On the evening of 20 December 2018, local community, iwi, and DOC responded to the stranding of a 12.7-metre male humpback whale just south of Kaiaua. This is the first incident of a humpback whale stranding in the Firth of Thames (Ti - kapa Moana) in living memory.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts the tohora- (whale) passed away before midnight.
Initial reports of a whale calf accompanying the adult were followed up by helicopter flights the next morning where nothing was found. We assume that if there was a calf, it made it safely back to deeper water.
This is a thank you to those who helped and supported this Marine Mammal
Stranding response:
To the ‘initial responders’ who contacted the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) and along with Nga- ti Paoa, Nga- ti Whanaunga, Nga- ti Hako, Kaiaua Fire and Emergency NZ volunteers and DOC, worked to care for the tohora- through the night while waiting for the next high tide.
To those who provided expert local advice on who has what equipment locally and possible burial sites, the “little barge that could”, those who helped with digging.
To the NZ Coastguard, the “anchor loan” family, NZ Whale Rescue, contractors, cafes, and everyone else.
Kind Regards and thank you all again,
Avi Holzapfel, Operations Manager
On behalf of the team at DOC Hauraki
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
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43.3% I want to be able to choose.
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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