Stranded orca refloated from Waikato beach

A stranded orca whale has been successfully refloated from a Waikato beach.

Constable Perry Griffin of Kawhia police said he got a call about the stranded female orca beached at an estuary near the town, 38km south of Raglan, about 9am.

A group of about 20 locals and holiday makers all helped keep the whale wet until it could be refloated with the tide.

"It appears the young female became stuck after it had been chasing stingrays in the estuary and while we were working there was a group of five or six other orca swimming a short distance off waiting to see if their mate would get free."

Mr Griffin said it was a bit eerie working in the water with the other Orca nearby, despite having assurances from whale experts that they would not harm the rescuers.

But everything went well and the whale was re-floated and rejoined its pod by lunchtime.

"At this time of year a lot of the focus is on holiday policing and alcohol issues and its moments like this that really bring the community together that are the real positives of policing smaller communities," Mr Griffin said.

- NZPA