The NZ Govt is putting pressure on Japan to participate in an investigation into the sinking of an anti-whaling vessel, John Key says.

Juanita, a healthy and fit retriever cross who loves chasing rabbits, seems blissfully unaware of her tragic past.

A lack of Japanese co-operation has meant an Australian investigation into Ady Gill's collision with a whaling boat was 'inconclusive'.

Attorney-General John Caughi has accused the Tongan govt of trying to curb an independent judiciary and attempting to interfere with the Princess Ashika inquiry.

The bulk coal carrier stranded on the Great Barrier Reef has been refloated.

The leader of Australia's Green Party is backing a campaign to free anti-whaling protester Peter Bethune.

An Auckland teenager spent 18 hours clinging to a liferaft off the coast of Brazil after her ship capsized.

A New Zealander was one of 64 people rescued from a Canadian sailing ship, filled with high school and university students, that sunk off the coast of Brazil.

Two people were rescued after leaping into the water from a burning launch off Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty today.

Rescue services were flat-out with 25 callouts by 5pm yesterday.