A stranded humpback whale near Dargaville has been killed, the Department of Conservation says.
The female whale, which was found with a now dead calf, had been stuck on Ripiro Beach since early on Sunday.
The female humpback whale's calf died beside it on August 6.
More than 100 rescuers tried to refloat the whales since then.
DOC said it made the decision with local iwi and Project Jonah because the whale's condition was deteriorating.
Whale specialist Ingrid Visser, who is at the beach, said a decision to euthanise was never made lightly.
Nearly 50 people were there to farewell the animal, singing waiata, and the local iwi Te Roroa said a karakia.
Earlier today, Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith told Morning Report the prospects of refloating the whale were not looking good.
"There's a bit of sea fog and the sun hasn't yet risen but things are looking grim actually. The whale has been on the beach for more than 48 hours and so the prospects are not good," Mr Smith said.
