Wellington's East by West ferry will run restricted services today after one of its ferries was hit by a large wave yesterday morning.

A student who moved to Wellington to escape earthquake devastation in Christchurch was among those trapped in a ferry as it was struck by wild seas this morning.

Commuters on a ferry have been rescued in Wellington Harbour this morning, after a large wave was believed to have knocked one person overboard in Worser Bay.

A decision to kill 48 pilot whales found stranded on Stewart Island had been difficult but there was no alternative, DoC says.