Up to 145 pilot whales have stranded and died on a remote beach on Stewart Island over the weekend.

The Department of Conservation was notified on Saturday night. The whales had stranded themselves in two groups about 2km apart.

Over half of the whales had already died by the time they were found by DOC workers.

This stranding was one of many that occurred over the weekend.

On Sunday, 10 pygmy killer whales also stranded at Ninety Mile Beach. Two have since died and re-float attempts will continue over the week.

A sperm tohorā also beached in Doubtful Bay on Karikari Peninsula in Northland.