Efforts to refloat and save a 15 metre, 40 tonne sperm whale in Christchurch have failed

The whale, stranded on South Brighton Beach, died overnight - the fifth in New Zealand in the last month.

Local iwi are onsite for a karakia and are working with DOC to remove it.

Project Jonah General Manager Darren Grover says large whales pose a huge logistical challenge.

He says it's dangerous to approach it, with the sheer weight of the whale posing a risk as it's moved by waves - and there's no equipment in the world that can lift an animal that size.