More pilot whales were expected to die last night as dry weather and nightfall hampered efforts to save a big pod that became stranded on Farewell Spit.
Andrew Lamason of the Department of Conservation (DoC) said up to 500 volunteers could be needed at Golden Bay, near Nelson, to help get a group of 174 whales back in the water today.
Initial estimates of 30 stranded pilot whales rose yesterday to 60, then 143, and finally 198.
Mr Lamason said of those, two dozen had died by 6.30pm and he expected that number to rise.