Date:  13 December 2024 Source:  Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation, Tūhura Otago Museum, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago

Rūnanga member Rachel Wesley says the weeklong dissection led by Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou in partnership with Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation, with support from Tūhura Otago Museum and Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago, was groundbreaking for not only science but also in terms of creating new frameworks for how indigenous groups can work with western science.

“Not only was this tohorā (whale) the first of its kind to be dissected by science, but it was also the first time our hapū (subtribe) worked with scientists to pull together indigenous and western knowledge systems so we can all gain a better understanding of the whale and its behaviours,” Rachel says.

“This process was led by our rakatahi (young people) and guided by our esteemed guests from Ngāti Wai – Hori Parata and his son Te Kaurinui – who are tōhuka (experts) in working with these taoka (treasures). By working with and learning from leaders in te ao Māori, as well as leaders in western science, our rakatahi can revive ancient matauraka (knowledge) and develop an in-depth knowledge system to pass onto the next generations.”

The 5-metre-long male spade-toothed whale washed ashore at Otago’s Taiari Mouth in July. It was the first time a complete specimen has been recovered in good condition for examination.

The examination, led by DOC Marine Science Advisor and beaked whale expert Anton van Helden involved mana whenua from Te Rūnanga o Ōtakou, scientists from New Zealand, plus three leading US marine biologists: Dr Joy S. Reidenberg, Dr Michael Denk, and Dr Alexander Werth, completed on Friday.

Mr van Helden says a lot of new discoveries were made last week, with more to come. But one point of interest was Dr Denk’s discovery of tiny vestigial teeth in the upper jaw.

“These little teeth embedded in the gum tells us something about their evolutionary history. It’s remarkable to see this and it’s just another thing that we had no idea about,” Mr van Helden says.

Scientists also found that the whale had nine stomach chambers, which was previously unknown.

“In some of those stomachs we found squid beaks and some lenses from the eyes of squid, a few parasitic worms, and maybe some other parts of organisms that we are not quite sure of. We have a parasitologist who will study them to find out what they are,” Mr van Helden says.

“We also found interesting structures associated with both feeding and sound production. Weights and measurements and descriptions were made of various muscles and organs, to help us describe this species and make comparisons with related species.

“These all add to the body of knowledge we are building.”

Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou named the whale Ōnumia, which reflects the traditional name of the area where the whale beached. Ōnumia is located on the mouth of the Taiari River, on the Taiari Native Reserve. By naming this whale, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou are reestablishing a traditional practice that maintains their strong bond with the environment, while also affirming their traditional names.

Dr Reidenberg says this is the first time she has worked with an indigenous group through the entire dissection of a whale and the experience was hugely rewarding.

“It was incredibly different to have the involvement of Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, because in a normal dissection, we just want to know what attaches between A and B,” Dr Reidenberg says.

“But all the other things we have learned about the importance of the whale to the Māori people, about the traditional stories, the sacredness of the whale, in particular certain parts of the whale, we may have been totally oblivious to and now we can be more sensitive because we understand more, and we’ve enjoyed learning more.”

Mr van Helden says bruising to the head and neck and a broken jaw has led scientists to believe the whale suffered some sort of head trauma that may have been the cause of its death.

“We don’t know but we suspect there must have been some sort of trauma, but what caused that could be anyone’s guess,” he says.

From here, scientists will analyse the data they have recorded from the whale and publish their findings under the direction of Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou.

“It’s a week I’ll never forget in my life, it’s certainly a highlight and it’s the start of the storytelling around this beautiful animal,” says Mr van Helden.

For more information on spade-toothed whales and other beaked whales: Beaked whales

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