A meat-eating parrot, a sucker-faced eel, a bat that pees on itself and a spider that catches fish. Here's our pick for New Zealand's 10 weirdest species.

Nine years after Westpower first proposed a hydro-electricity scheme on the Waitaha River, the Department of Conservation said it had given approval in principle.

A group of trees "mercilessly hacked" by an unknown attacker has riled one of Rotorua's well-known environmental activists.

COMMENT: Misinformation is counterproductive in battling dramatic decline of species in Auckland Islands.

Proponents of eminent Maori architect John Scott have made a last-ditch effort to save one of his revered works on the shores of Lake

Heritage campaigners have launched a last-ditch effort to save an historic Waikaremoana building.

Pavlina Pizova, who survived a month in a remote hut on the Routeburn Track, broke down in tears as she spoke about her fight for survival.

A tramper has told of "pretty bad" conditions including snow up to a metre high near where a Czech woman was rescued after waiting five weeks in a Doc hut after her partner's death.

A Government-led bid to free New Zealand of predators by 2050 was repudiated today by the Ban 1080 Party as "justification for another 34 years of spreading 1080".

More than $20 million in funding, 720,000ha of land: today is D-Day for the biggest pest control operation in New Zealand's history.

A leading climate scientist has welcomed a new 20-year Government "roadmap" that singles out climate change as an environmental research priority for New Zealand.

A series of tweets and shares helped co-ordinate an operation to get a small island in the Hauraki Gulf for a ranger who needed to get to his grandmother's funeral.

A record breeding season for New Zealand and the world's population of lovable but critically endangered kakapo has seen their numbers shoot up by an amazing 28 per cent to 157 individuals.

Eruptions, lahars, faster and better facilities, a catastrophic diesel spill and a devastating arson - it's been a hectic 30 years

Awaroa Beach has become part of the Abel Tasman National Park after 40,000 Kiwis raised the money to buy it.

A sperm whale has been spotted in the Hauraki Gulf - a rare sighting for boaties. Rob Pine, a wildlife photographer from Auckland

DOC had to shoot a fur seal pup after someone put it on the back of a motorbike while skylarking on the Hokitika beach

Two dramatic videos have been released showing how Northland's forests are collapsing due to chronic underfunding of the Department of Conservation and lack of pest control.

The Department of Conservation is seeking those responsible for using a chainsaw to hack out a dead sperm whale's jawbone.

Searchers looking just north of Hokitika for one of the rarest vertebrate animals in the country have struck gold.

When Awaroa beach campaigner Duane Major visited the piece of paradise bought by New Zealanders for the first time since the purchase, he paused in disbelief.

Three kiwi chicks have arrived at their new home as part of an effort to save a rare species of our national bird.

A pristine, remote landing site in Fiordland National Park is about to have its daily limit of helicopter landings soar.

The Department of Conservation will be hitting Punakaiki beach after reports of people using "kontikis" in the marine reserve.

The Government may lose its unanimous support in Parliament for much-touted marine sanctuary.

Those who pledged money to buy an Abel Tasman beach for New Zealanders are fulfilling their commitments.

People using beach in 'opportunistic way' will have to pay for the privilege, says Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

The owner of the beach in Abel Tasman National Park which has been the focus of a crowd funding campaign is pleased with all the local interest.

A Givealittle page has raised the money needed to buy the beach on the Awaroa Inlet.

Gareth Morgan has offered to help buy Abel Tasman Beach but he wants exclusive rights for his family.