A cruise industry consultant says New Zealand risks missing out on most of the boom in the sector by not giving passengers what they want.

West Auckland surf lifeguards, who did not know their quad bikes were stolen until they responded to an emergency call, have been offered replacements on loan.

Ambitious plans to create a $150 million world-class marine industry precinct at Hobsonville near a vast new housing estate have met with a limp reception.

Female seahorses have got this pregnancy caper worked out. They place their eggs, sometimes hundreds or thousands, into a special pouch in the male's stomach and let him do all the hard work while they go about their business unencumbered by kids.

Severe weather which hit the Bay of Plenty over the weekend, including swells of up to four metres at Astrolabe Reef, have caused the release of plastic beads from a damaged container in the sunken stern of the Rena.

A fisherman rescued from his sinking boat on Friday had survived a similar incident three years ago.

Sam Judd checks out freefishheads.co.nz - a website devoted to finding a grateful home for what is otherwise considered waste from the sea.

A controversial law change which would limit protest near deep-sea oil and gas operations has been debated for the first time in a heated Parliamentary session.

One of the sunniest summers in more than 50 years saw almost 600 extra people rescued from NZ beaches during the patrol season compared to the year before.

Ports of Auckland is making a fresh bid to extend the city's port into the Waitemata Harbour after a public backlash last year sunk plans to expand 283m into the harbour.

A colony of Antarctic penguins could be excused for feeling like climate change's big winners.