New whale stranding at Golden Bay

Another pod of whales has stranded at Golden Bay at the top of the South Island.

The Department of Conservation said five pilot whales were stranded on tidal flats at Puponga Beach. Three of them died, one swam away and another was snet out to sea.

The best chance of sending the surviving whale back to sea was at high tide due at midday.

It is not yet known if they are part of a larger group. A boat is out looking for more whales.

DOC spokeswoman Trish Grant said Conservation Department staff have the situation under control and there is no need for assistance from the public.

Last month, there were two separate strandings of pilot whales in the same region sparking massive rescue efforts.

- NEWSTALK ZB