Four pilot whales have stranded at Uretiti Beach, south of Whangārei and died and there are concerns a larger pod may also try to come ashore.
Locals and volunteers from Project Jonah were at the beach, about 25km south-east of Whangārei this morning trying to refloat the whales, but all four have died
The whales stranded about 2km south of the Ruakākā surf club. The Department of Conservation has a spotter plane tracking a pod of about 30 pilot whales to make sure they don't try to strand.
Abi Monteith, from DoC said it's the natural behaviour of whales to come into shore when others strand to try to help them out.
The four dead whales were placed to face towards the sea and were blessed by Kaumatua Pera Mackie of hapu Patuharakeke about 9.15am today.