Two pods of the marine animals were spotted this morning including a mother and her calf

Micrometre-sized plastics are wreaking havoc in our oceans, a scientist says.

The killer whale was likely the same one that stranded in Whangarei Harbour last year.

The cause of death is not yet known, but photos show possible blunt force trauma to the head.

A researcher says it's embarrassing our country hasn't yet made the move.

Coastguard towed boat to safety after it struggled on a harbour bar.

A grant from the Heartland Fund has helped the latest Kawhia beach cleanup. But, an ownership review of King Country Energy could mean the future of the community fund is at risk. Made with Funding from NZ On Air

Thousands of boaties swapped their old lifejackets for new in a Coastguard safety scheme.

Lawyer says almost all iwi accept abandoning ship's remains should be allowed.

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

Whales, toothfish and the confounding puzzle that is Antarctica's sea ice will be targeted in six bold new Kiwi studies to be carried out on the frozen continent and in the Southern Ocean.

DoC staff were tonight monitoring a pod of about 200 pilot whales milling around in the sea off Golden Bay.

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.

Wildlife experts concerned dolphin wearing a T-shirt may be in trouble.

Heartbreaking footage shows a mother dolphin trying desperately to save her calf from Japanese hunters who planned to sell the animals to aquariums.

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.