Anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd says it has boxed in the Japanese whaling fleet's factory ship, effectively suspending whaling in the Southern Ocean.

A key question in the trial of Easy Rider owner Gloria Davis is her knowledge of the safety issues surrounding the vessel.

The skipper of a boat that sank in Foveaux Strait resulting in the deaths of eight people made a catalogue of errors, the trial of his widow heard yesterday.

Washington and Tokyo have been drawn into an unexpected diplomatic spat over the annual slaughter of dolphins in Taiji.

Crab fishers leaving a beach strewn with chicken carcasses have outraged residents and conservationists at Omaha.

The widow of the Easy Rider skipper faces trial today over the vessel's deadly sinking in Foveaux Strait nearly two years ago.

A pod of orca whales has been spotted near the entrance to Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula.

Now the pressure is off Stanley Paris and his failed attempt to circumnavigate the planet in 120 days, the 76-year-old has had time to mull over his future, and has not ruled out having another go at the world record.

"I can't see this behaviour of having sharks associate food with boats coming to anything good." Shark-cage diving isn't appreciated by some Stewart Is boaties.

'I must now abandon this dream', says the 76-year-old former Dunedin man who was trying to sail around the world solo.

Footage of a fatal crash between a dinghy and a yacht in the Bay of Islands has been given to authorities to determine who was at fault.

A fundraising concert for opponents of a planned Waiheke Island marina has been lauded as "Woodstock without the nakedness" by organiser John Hawkesby.

Northland fisheries officers say they have seen little illegal fishing over the holiday period.

A diver who suffered a potentially fatal blow when struck in the chest by a stingray's barb is one of several people to have a close encounter so far this summer.

A blockade at the entrance to Hole in the Rock is being considered as part of a long-running row over money and mana.

"I saw everyone running from the water." Swimmers and boarders at Papamoa Beach head for sand as bronze whaler swims through the shallows.

Revelations from 3D imaging study may prompt rethink on origins of vast underwater ridge east of Auckland.

Round-the-world solo yachtsman Stanley Paris has been seriously injured more than 2000km east of Porto Alegre, in Brazil, after falling from his mast.

A large white luxury fishing boat captured the attention of holidaymakers after it was beached at Whangamata Harbour on Friday.

'We're not intimidated by wealthy individuals.' Opponents of a 160-berth marina plan for Waiheke Island are promising a 'David and Goliath' battle.

A body found in Bay of Plenty has been confirmed as that of a fisherman who disappeared after a stingray pulled his fishing rod into the sea.

A man filming his diving expedition in Northland caught more than crayfish when he came face to face with a pod of orcas.

The Herald has walked the docks to catalogue the opulent visitors to the City of Sails.