Optimism in the South Island's Golden Bay, where a second refloat attempt is underway for a pod of stranded whales

Thirty of the whales are stranded, while three have already died.

Efforts to refloat the whales were unsuccessful last night, due to low tide.

Gary Rennie is there, and says the number of volunteers helping is heartwarming to see.

He says around 200 locals and holidaymakers have stopped what they're doing to come down to the beach.