The 1.7m-long newborn had to be put down as it had become separated from its mother and could not survive on its own, Department of Conservation marine ranger Jim Fyfe said.
It had been brought to Dunedin for examination by Doc and University of Otago marine scientist Associate Prof Steve Dawson.
Prof Dawson said that they could tell it was a female as it still had the fetal folds from being curled up in its mother's womb and it had a droopy dorsal fin.
"Mortality at this age is common. If they lose their mum, they have no chance."
Long-finned pilot whales were those most frequently found in mass strandings but, fortunately, this was the only one to be found this time, Prof Dawson said.
Normally, they were deep water dwellers which ate squid.
The whale would be transferred to the university's marine laboratory, where it would be used to teach marine biology and behaviour students.
Any information gained from the whale would be shared with the Department of Conservation.
