A huge community effort in Northland to refloat whales stranded at Ruakaka Beach - has saved 36

Rescue organisation, Project Jonah, says three adults and a calf died, but most of the pod of about 40 pilot whales, made it back offshore.

Hales and Kyle Newson were among hundreds of locals who helped dozens of the marine mammals.

Hales says they hopped straight in the car when they heard the news, and Kyle says she instinctively jumped in the water to help.