A juvenile beaked whale stranded on South New Brighton Beach was rescued this afternoon.

One of the first people on the scene told chrislynchmedia.com they contacted DOC but were instructed not to touch the whale.

According to the witness, Project Jonah representatives eventually arrived to assist.

Although the whale was returned to the water, concerns remain about its chances of survival, as another witness said it appeared injured.

Beaked whales are among the least-known groups of mammals due to their usual deep-sea habitat and elusive behaviour according to the Department of Conservation.

They are remarkable deep divers. The goosebeaked whale Ziphius cavirostris holds the record for any breath hold diving mammal, with one holding its breath for 222 minutes, and recorded diving to 2,998 m.