About three dozen pilot whales are refloated and heading out to sea, after surviving a mass stranding of nearly 200 whales on Friday.

Wellington (dpa) - About 60 pilot whales had been refloated and were heading out to sea Saturday night, after surviving a mass stranding of nearly 200 whales on Friday, the Department of Conservation said.

More than 100 whales died after the pod became stuck at Farewell Spit, a narrow sandbar at the northern tip of the South Island. It was one of the country's largest mass beachings.

Golden Bay Conservation Services manager Andrew Lamason said Saturday's refloat at high tide had gone well.

More here: More than 100 whales died in New Zealand