Paddle boarder Luke Reilly had a close encounter with an orca just 200 metres from the shore.

The close of the kiwi hatching season has been delayed this year after the discovery of a late egg.

Several sheep were killed in a fire that destroyed a woolshed in Manawatu this morning.

The victim of a crocodile attack has told how he shoved his finger into the 2.5-metre reptile’s eye in a desperate bid to free himself from its thrashing jaws.

A week ago Thames was lost and alone in the bush. Now he's dining on dried liver, soaking up the love and sporting a shiny coat from a spa session at a pet salon.

It appears this python bit off more than he could chew - or rather swallow - after he consumed a large pair of barbecue tongs during his feed.

No chickens were harmed in a fire that tore through a commercial chicken processing plant in rural Waikato this morning.

A giant conger eel weighing in at 59kgs and measuring 6.4 metres has been caught off the coast of Devon.

Scientists have long assumed that all fish are basically cold-blooded, but all that has just changed.

A mother bear and her cubs gave tourists in America's Yellowstone National Park a sharp refresher in the rules on how to appreciate the wildlife - stay a safe distance.

Two seasoned New Zealand spearfishermen found themselves in a sticky situation when over half a dozen sharks swarmed and stole their catch.

Thousands of tourists are thrilled by live encounters with sharks but there are fears drawing them with bait teaches them to associate food with people.

A sheep spray painted with the word 'Isis' on its left flank has been found in Devonport. A post on North Shore Pets’ lost and found Facebook page showed images of the animal.

A dog owner was horrified to find her beloved chihuahua was pecked to death by a gang of angry seagulls.

The bones, believed to be around 2000 years old, were the result of the first archaeological expedition for moa bones in almost half a century.

Endangered cockatoos rescued by police after being found stuffed in water bottles for illegal trade. Pictures may be upsetting.

Backyard bird-feeding isn't so helpful for one of our popular tiny natives, the grey warbler, new research warns.

The Government says sharks should benefit from a proposed ban on wire traces and shark lines in two commercial fisheries.

A rescue dog has provided a dog's-eye view of the destruction in Nepal as he helps with the rescue efforts.

A hungry pig trapped a terrified motorist in her car in an attempted food raid yesterday.

A Westport man who lost control during an incident with animal control has been ordered to pay for the damage he caused.

The Earth is on course to lose up to one in six of all its species, if carbon emissions continue as they currently are.

A man has been banned from owning livestock for 20 years after failing to provide six calves with sufficient food.

When it comes to big fossil finds, China is full of surprises, and the latest dinosaur discovery is no exception.

A visiting conservationist and molecular biologist has joined calls to save our national bird.

They may be hated pests that love eating our cherished native birds, but pesky introduced stoats have just become a little more interesting to scientists overseas.

A creature from the past that would have looked like strange mix of unrelated dinosaurs has been discovered.

Pet owners are inspired by the names given to newborn royals, new research has found.