The Timaru whale has been refloated and is "swimming in open water", according to an update from Project Jonah.
Earlier on Sunday the 12-metre sperm whale beached itself at Caroline Bay, leading to a large rescue mission to save the giant animal.
Now the marine mammal protection group has good news.
"The Timaru sperm whale has been refloated and is swimming in open water. The plan to keep the strap around the whale and attached to the fishing boat helped to move the whale off the beach. The towing strap has also been freed from the whale," Project Jonah says in a Facebook update.
"This was the original plan for earlier today, however we were unable to complete this due to the outgoing tide."
A Newshub reporter at the scene says the Coastguard is trying to shepherd it to deeper water. It's hoped the whale will stay there instead of returning to the shore and rebeaching itself.
"While this is fantastic news, DoC rangers and medics will be checking beaches at first light," Project Jonah says.
If you discover a stranded marine mammal, please immediately contact DoC (0800 DOC HOT) or Project Jonah (0800 494 253).
