Four of the six pygmy whales refloated yesterday afternoon from Rarawa Beach in Northland are now extremely close to shore at Great Exhibition Bay, approximately 20km north of where they were put back in the water.
The Department of Conservation, Project Jonah and other rescue teams are making their way to the site for an assessment.
Yesterday DOC attempted to refloat eight pygmy whales that stranded, but two returned to the shore in a bad condition and had to be euthanised.
The Ninety Mile Beach rescue effort involved hundreds of volunteers.
DOC says 300 public volunteers helped with the refloating effort.
The pod became stranded near Te Paki Stream at the northern end of 90 Mile Beach along a 5km stretch of sand three nights ago.
Also on the weekend, nearly 150 pilot whales stranded on Stewart Island. They all died, or were euthanised.
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