Whale update: most were saved.

Most of the 40 pilot whales that were stranded on a Northland beach have been refloated following a mammoth effort from volunteers.

Whale rescue organisation Project Jonah received calls about 4.30pm Sunday that the whales were in trouble at Ruakākā beach …

About 200 people raced to the beach to help, and the majority of the whales were refloated and were being monitored by 8pm, Project Jonah said on Facebook.

Four whales died in the stranding.

Via: Rescuers race to help 40 whales stranded at Northland beach | RNZ News.