No sign of refloated whales

Forty-five whales have so far been buried in sand dunes near Karikari beach after stranding themselves last week. Photo / APN

There has been no sign of nine refloated whales, meaning the sole survivors of the 58-strong pod that stranded on a Far North beach last week are likely to be still alive.

Burials are under way for four whales euthanised after they either tried to re-strand themselves or were swimming around in a distressed state, causing concern they may attract the other nine back to the shore.

Forty-five whales, weighing in at about one tonne each, have already been buried in sand dunes near Karikari Beach in the Far North where they were found.

Department of Conservation spokeswoman Sioux Campbell said the nine survivors, which were refloated on Saturday afternoon, had not been spotted but there was always the risk that they could become re-stranded.

"We haven't seen them so that's a good sign - we don't want to see them. Once whales are refloated like that if you don't hear any more the assumption is that they've swum off.

"Mind you, it's random, they can come back to shore at quite surprising intervals so you just don't know really."

The local community had become emotionally attached to the pod of stranded whales and their efforts had prevented all 58 dying.

"It's that real anthropomorphism thing, people often feel a personal connection and the whales can respond really positively to help," Ms Campbell said.

"They seem to understand that people are trying to help them and not hurt them and do their best to do what they can to help themselves."

Data from the stranding would be collated in a national database in Wellington to see if anything could be learned about why whales get stranded in such large numbers.

- NZPA