DoC staff were tonight monitoring a pod of about 200 pilot whales milling around in the sea off Golden Bay.

Volunteers are using two boats to guide the 17 pilot whales that were stranded at Golden Bay this morning to the rest of the their pod and try to coax them out to deeper waters.

Hundreds of volunteers last night kept a vigil over 120 whales restranded on Farewell Spit near Golden Bay.

Twenty pilot whales have beached themselves again and will be euthanised, DoC said, as volunteers are warned to be careful around decomposing whales.

All 100 of the surviving beached whales at Farewell Spit have been successfully refloated as volunteers scrambled to stop another pod swimming into shore.

Emotional scenes as whale rescue volunteers sang to and even named many of the pilot whales stranded - and those refloated - on Farewell Spit.

Police say they have concerns for an elderly Nelson man who was due to arrive in Westport today, but has not been seen. Leslie Martin

Did recent seismic surveys in the area cause whales to beach themselves at Farewell Spit?

A person has been hurt after the car they were in went off the Coastal Highway and into a swamp at Mapua, west of Nelson.

Plans for a ferry between Whanganui and Port Motueka have been revisited. And pending a feasibility study by the council, could have the Mayor’s support. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Lorna Subritzky enjoys a winning bach in acclaimed surroundings.

Cycling is kept to a minimum and feasting to a maximum on this Tour de Nelson.

The peaceful natural beauty of Wainui Inlet has Fergus Blakiston waxing lyrical.

Elisabeth Easther explores a piece of paradise, at the top of the South Island.

Labour's West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor won't say whether he supports the new agreement between Labour and the Greens.

A milk tanker has rolled on the Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway in the Tasman region.

Elisabeth Easther cycles the Great Taste Trail from Nelson to Kaiteriteri.

This caring community's a one-stop shop for food, fiestas and outdoor fun.

Police, the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, and the Tasman District Council, conducted the operation last Friday.

There are mouth-watering distractions on the Tasman Great Taste Trail, writes Fiona Terry.

The Wilsons could rightly claim Abel Tasman, but choose to share the land.

Human remains found on Farewell Spit have been confirmed as those of a missing 26-year-old tourist.

Police have been in contact with the family of a missing Dutch tourist following the discovery of human remains on Farewell Spit.

Abel Tasman's coastal track meanders past some of our most beautiful bays and beaches.

The 'Island of Weka' is full of natural beauty, says Elisabeth Easther.

An orchard company has been fined and ordered to pay reparation - totalling $134,500 - over the death of an employee.

Police are investigating a drive-by shooting in Motueka overnight when two shots, possibly from a shotgun, were fired from a passing vehicle at a house.

Fingers crossed, you will be blessed with a refreshing sea breeze as you tackle these top walks.

Nelson is host to a bike path that meanders through beautiful countryside.

Takaka has a bustling arts scene and pretty scenery, writes Elisabeth Easther.