A couple were forced to spend a 'tough' night out in the open after abandoning their boat in rough seas off southern Fiordland.

Warm sea temperatures are a blessing for swimmers in the western Bay of Plenty, but the warmer waters are also bringing unwanted guests closer to shore.

The largest cruise ship ever to be based in New Zealand arrived to a foggy Auckland welcome as it sailed into the harbour at dawn.

It's now feared more than 50 asylum seekers drowned when their wooden boat smashed onto rocks on Christmas Island.

New Zealand won't join in Australian court action over Japanese whaling but will have input into the case.

The search for 17 fishermen missing in the Southern Ocean has been suspended as no further survivors are expected.

Hope is fading for 17 missing fishermen after a South Korean trawler sank in the Southern Ocean, claiming at least five other lives.

The search for 17 people missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the Southern Ocean early today has been scaled down as it becomes increasingly unlikely further survivors will be found.

Five people are dead and 17 missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean, 2700km south east of Bluff, early this morning.

There is plenty to see and do at the New Zealand Maritime Museum, discovers Gill South.

A volunteer drive to clean up Kiwi beaches for summer has collected 10 tonnes of rubbish.