A huge sperm whale has been torched and butchered after washing up on a beach in the Wairarapa.

About 400 people turned out to pay their last respects to Moko the dolphin at his funeral procession and memorial service in Whakatane today.

Darkstar the kiwi has made a full recovery after being hit by a truck and is being released back into the wild near Nunguru.

Talks continue today on where Moko the bottlenose dolphin should be laid to rest, with Mahia, Whakatane, Gisborne, Tologa Bay and Te Kaha vying to host his remains.

Moko the dolphin, who thrilled and sometimes unsettled swimmers with his playfulness and imposing physical size, has been found dead.

The dolphin carcass believed to be that of Moko was removed from Matakana Island by DOC staff this afternoon and will be sent to Massey University for an autopsy.

A man has been arrested over the theft of more than 20 geckos taken from two separate locations in Northland over the past 10 days.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson faced tough questions about how mining protected lands was impinging on her environmental responsibilities.

Jim Eagles visits the remote Sub-Antarctic islands and finds thriving populations of rare birds and wildlife, as well as breathtaking flora.

Kakapo chicks are set to benefit from the gifting of seven baby incubators by two New Zealand hospitals.