Travel is safer now, so fewer of us are dying in large-scale disasters, but climate change could reverse the trend.

A bigger scheme proposed last year drew opposition from the Waiheke Island community.

In 2015, the first year of a three-year survey 33 blue whales were sighted in the South Taranaki Bight, this year there were 68 different individuals.

Greenpeace and KASM give evidence about the potential impacts on marine mammals at the EPA seabed mining hearing in Wellington. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Three men saved by a passing vessel when a bar crossing goes horribly wrong.

An independent ship surveyor raised concern about the Francie operating on the Kaipara bar three months before the ill-fated boat sank in the area.

Trans-Tasman Resources gave evidence today at the hearing which will determine whether or not they will get marine consents to mine iron ore off the coast of South Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Trans-Tasman Resources is proposing to mine 50 million tonnes of iron ore per year off the coast of Patea in south Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On AIr.

SUP140217NADFISH01.JPG or SUP140217NADFISH02.JPG The 170 flounder found in a Northland stream have disgusted Whangaruru locals. PHOTO/SUPPLIED. By

Witness: "I said to my wife: 'That mooring line's not set right for this kind of wind'.''

People are being warned to stay off a beach where the carcasses of hundreds of whales are at risk of exploding.

Scientists have ruled out any suggestion this morning's 5.2 quake was linked to the mass whale stranding at Farewell Spit.

Hope for survivors of one of NZ's largest ever whale strandings is "slowly slipping away".

A whale rescue expert is critical Department of Conservation crews didn't act sooner in last night's devastating whale stranding.

The man said he was going to test his boat's engine but did not return.

Police have responded to a boat that has raised an alarm at Hooks Bay this morning.

A search was mounted at Lake Te Anau after several flares were sighted late last night.

The dramatic, kilometres-deep canyons that lie hidden beneath our waves need protection from human pollution and damage, scientists say.

The number of unprovoked shark attacks across the world fell last year, in the wake of a record figure in 2015 that scientists partly put down to warmers waters created by a strong El Nino system.

COMMENT: A strong correlation was found between the state of the country's fish stocks and the quality of its fisheries management, writes Tim Pankhurst.

A home belonging to world renowned marine biologist Bill Ballantine is on the market after more than 50 years.

A yacht that struck an object in the Hauraki Gulf sparks an overnight rescue.

A 300kg leopard seal looks to be in Auckland to stay, as the hefty visitor makes itself a summer spectacle for ferry commuters.

The little girl who had been missing at sea with her father for almost a month is due back in New Zealand in the next few days.

An extradition order is not being sought for a Kiwi yachtsman who sailed to Australia with his young daughter.

These are the first pictures of Que Langdon reunited with her mother, after almost a month at sea with her father.

In the last of a five-part series looking at research in Auckland's blue backyard, an expert discusses how far our ocean ecosystems can be pushed.

Getting closer than 50m to a killer whale could set you back a couple hundred thousand or land you behind bars.

In the second of a five part series on Auckland's big blue backyard, science reporter Jamie Morton talks to seabird expert Dr Brendon Dunphy.

The playful and curious orca entertained those on the boat for about 20 minutes.