Locals in New Zealand initially thought the mass was cheese – but upon closer inspection now believe it to have been thrown up by the huge mammal.

Whale vomit, also known as Ambergris, is one of the key ingredients used to make perfume and also happens to be one of the most valuable.

The mass is said to be roughly the size of a 44-gallon drum and could weigh up to 500kg.

Whales produce ambergris when they have an allergic reaction to squid.

The foul-smelling excrement is considered valuable because of its rarity.

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