A pygmy sperm whale stranded off Gisborne beach on Friday morning was euthanized because it was not well enough to be refloated.

Department of Conservation staff, local iwi members, members of the nearby surf lifesaving club, about 30 members of the public and a digger gathered at Waikanae Beach near the Ōneroa car park on Friday morning to help the animal.

The three-metre whale washed ashore alive but in poor condition at around 9.15am, Ministry of Defense operations manager Tairāwhiti Matt Tong said in a statement.

Local iwi and DoC worked closely together to respond to this difficult situation.

“Unfortunately, considering the whale’s best interests, it was decided to humanely euthanize it to minimize its suffering as it was not in a condition where it could be successfully refloated,” Tong said.