The Department of Conservation (DoC) is investigating after a high number of seals were found dead on coastlines around the country.
Since September, 183 seals have been found dead on Kaikōura's coastline, the latest figures from DoC show.
DoC said the exact causes of death aren't clear at this time and the animals were too decomposed for body samples to be taken for testing or for post-mortem. The seals were of all ages and in various stages of decomposition.
Since August 159, dead seals have been found dead in Napier, 78 reported in Tauranga, and 12 in Auckland.
Tests for disease from dead seals in these locations have so far been negative.
However, autopsies on some dead seals from Hawke's Bay confirmed starvation as a cause of their deaths.
"DOC is working with the Ministry of Primary Industries and other organisations to investigate potential causes of death and collect specimens for post-mortem where possible," DoC Technical Advisor Marine Mike Ogle said.
Ogle said although in these places the numbers have increased, many of these seals would have died some time ago and have only been found and reported recently. Some also may have been reported more than once.
The time of year when the dead seals were found, is when New Zealand has an influx of adolescent seals appearing on our shores. From July to September each year seal pups begin to wean as their mothers prepare for new pups.
Ogle is urging members of the public who encounter a sick, injured or dead seal not to approach them and report them to DoC DOC HOT (0800 362 468), or if there are three or more animals call MPI on 0800 80 99 66 to report them.
"People are particularly being asked to report any freshly dead seals in Kaikoura, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Tauranga or Auckland, as the bodies need to be fresh for testing or autopsy to investigate potential causes of death," DoC said.
This story has been updated with the latest figures.
