A recovery operation has been underway in Christchurch for a large whale that died after becoming stranded in Christchurch Sunday night.

The eight-metre juvenile Finn whale got stuck on a sandbar in the shallow estuary at Moncks Bay and despite efforts to re-float it.

Daren Grover from Project Jonah has been on the scene. He says he got the call Sunday night and flew in from Nelson.

Grover spoke to Charlotte Cook.