Minister to take Japan ambassador whale-watching

Conservation Minister Chris Carter will host the Japanese ambassador on a whale-watching tour in Kaikoura this week.

New Zealand is a bitter opponent of Japan's "scientific" whaling programme, but a spokesman for Mr Carter said the trip was not specifically about the issue.

The spokesman stressed the trip was part of a rolling programme of education for diplomats and visitors on this country's conservation work.

He said: "New Zealand and Japan have a very good relationship on a number of issues.

"There is a point of difference on whaling and it's very important that they keep talking about it, but this trip is not designed to be focused on this particular issue."

The trip on Thursday would also include several other Asian ambassadors.

Ambassadors from other regions have previously been taken on whale-watching tours in Kaikoura.

New Zealand has stressed the value of eco-tourism whale-watching ventures as an alternative to whaling for countries.

Japan, which wants to resume commercial whaling, won a symbolic vote on the issue at last month's annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

But it failed to get the 75 per cent support it needs to end a moratorium on commercial whaling.

- NZPA