UPDATE 10.40AM: The 22 pilot whales stranded on Byran's Beach, near Ohiwa, this morning have died.

The Department of Conservation made the decision to euthanise the whales after another eight died this morning, following the discovery of six dead whales around 6.30am.

More whales were stranded in the Eastern Bay this morning. Photo: Project Jonah, via Facebook.

When Departmenyt of Conservation staff and Project Jonah volunteers arrived at the beach at around 8.30am, six whales had died overnight and the remaining whales were found to be in poor health.

Today's stranding follows on from yesterday's events, when a large number of pilot whales beached on Ohiwa Harbour.

Thirty were re-floated, but 24 died.

Read more here.

Earlier:

Six pilot whales have died after another 22 whales beached near Ohiwa Harbour this morning.

The Department of Conservation is at the scene and hope to re-float the whales at some point today.

DOC says while they are grateful for the community's help, they are asking people to steer clear of the scene as they try to get the whales back out to sea.

The latest stranding follows on from yesterday's events, when a large number of pilot whales beached in Ohiwa Harbour.

A total of 24 were killed as a result and 30 were re-floated yesterday afternoon.

Read more here.

Department of Conservation operations manager John Sutton says it's believed the whales came to shore to help a sick or injured juvenile pilot whale.