Seven-year-old KokoPeta Botello helps keep a whale damp. Photo / NZPA
A large pod of pilot whales which are stranded on a Far North beach will hopefully be refloated at Rarawa beach tomorrow.
Efforts are being made to rescue the surviving 24 whales which beached at Spirits Bay, 90km north of Kaitaia yesterday.
It is believed around 80 of the whales
beached themselves over the course of the day.
About 160 rescuers, made up of Department of Conservation staff from Northland and Auckland and volunteers, have been working to group the whales together and move them into the stream at the southern end of Spirits Bay.
This would make it easier to keep the whales wet and comfortable and be more efficient for the rescue team, said DoC Kaitaia area manager Jonathon Maxwell.
"The spread of whales across a large beach area has added to the complexities of stranding management. We want to focus now on what we can do for the surviving whales and use our effort most effectively."
DoC spokesperson Caroline Smith earlier said poor weather was preventing the whales being refloated at Spirits Bay.
"The weather is terrible up there, we have 20 knot winds and 1.5 to 2 metre swells so it is not possible to refloat them at Spirits Bay."
The plan is to keep the whales in the stream overnight and move them south 50km by truck to Rarawa beach for re-floatation tomorrow.
Hoist and transportation options were being developed, Mr Maxwell said.
"These animals might not be large by whale standards, but they still weigh between one and a half to two tons. We need to do our best to move them carefully and look after them on their journey."
If today's strong winds and high seas drop, conditions may be suitable to try a re-float at Spirits Bay tomorrow.
Although weather relief had been forecast today, a weather station at Cape Reinga shows the wind is still raging. Gusts of between 80 and 100km/h had been recorded since the whales were reported stranded yesterday and earlier today.
DoC are still appealing for volunteers. Anyone volunteering needs a thick wetsuit, wind-break clothing and be prepared to stay overnight in their own vehicle or tent. Volunteers should report direct to the Spirits Bay.
