Efforts are underway in Christchurch to help move a stranded pilot whale back into the ocean at Kaitorete Spit.
The whale was first spotted on the sand at around 8am by a Birdlings Flat resident, before locals quickly rushed to help re-float the whale.
Newshub is at the scene, where more than 20 people are helping, including four people who are sitting alongside the whale in the shallows.
One of them is a medic from Project Jonah, a whale and dolphin rescue group. She can be seen digging sand from beneath the whale.
Department of Conservation (DOC) Senior Biodiversity Ranger Mailee Stanbury told Newshub staff are currently at the scene.
"Staff are responding to a stranded pilot whale at Kaitorete," she said. "We are assessing the whale's condition to determine our next steps."
Biodiversity Supervisor Craig Alexander described the conditions of the ocean as "severe".
"Early this morning a single pilot whale was found by a Birdlings Flat resident," he said.
"The exterior of the whale looks to be in good condition but we don't know what is going on and what caused this whale to come to the beach."
He said the beach doesn't have a gradual deepening of the water, and has "quite a severe drop off".
"You can't get boats close to here because of the sea conditions," Alexander explained.
He said the waves are "forceful" and teams are working together to protect the whale.
"We can't get into the water, so we are just holding it at this stage."
Operations Manager Andy Thompson said staff are currently assessing whether there are other whales in the area.
He said while pilot whale strandings aren't popular on Kaitorete, "it is not unusual for pilot whales to be in this area".
"We are working with representatives from Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Waiwera Rūnanga, and ensuring appropriate tikanga is being observed."
DOC is recommending members of the public to stay away from the area.
