A "swat team" of whale rescue experts has undertaken an intensive three-day course in freeing whales that have become tangled in ropes and nets.

The third white kiwi chick to hatch at Pukaha Mt Bruce may not be making international headlines, but was gathering its own fans at a public feeding this week.

For the past century, since heading the first Australian-led Antarctic expedition, Sir Douglas Mawson has been considered a national hero.

"Why doesn't NZ take a bold step and complement its clean, green image by becoming the first country in the world to ban testing on animals?" asks Catriona MacLennan.

Three SPCA dogs are learning how to drive in a bid to change public perception on the intelligence of rescue dogs.

Auckland SPCA dogs Monty, Porter and Ginny are learning to drive. Video courtesy of SPCA/Driving Dogs

Manufacturers of party pills could be prevented from testing their drugs on animals if they cannot prove it is worth the pain they could potentially cause.

Party pills will be tested on animals before they are allowed to be sold because "human safety is ... paramount", Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says.

Pro-surfer Dave Rastovich was here to help save the threatened Maui's dolphin, but in the end it was them who helped him.

No charges will be laid against a man who horrified dozens of drivers by carrying his dog like a huge handbag while walking on a main road.

Auckland Zoo is celebrating its 90th birthday with an invitation to others over the age of 90.

The antics of dolphins off the beach at Thorne Bay put smiles on faces but when a couple of swimmers ducked below the surface a big surprise awaited.

A group of children were happily playing in the water at Paihia, cooling off from the hot sun - then someone yelled: "Shark!"

A man who was gored by a longhorn cattle beast, which lifted him into the air several times with its horn lodged in his stomach, is in a stable condition.

Wild birds including ducks, geese and pheasants are being poached from public parks in Auckland and being turned into dinner.

A man attacked by a longhorn cattle beast has been flown to hospital by the Palmerston North Rescue helicopter with serious stomach and chest injuries.

The volcanoes of Mordor are erupting right on cue for the Hobbit premiere, but animals have been the problem.

New Zealand has joined Australia in questioning the validity of Japan's whaling for scientific purposes in the Southern Ocean, says MP Murray McCully.

Two rare birds have laid eggs at Wairarapa's Riversdale Beach and a temporary fence has been built to protect them.

Visit to dentist proves labour-intensive operation for Auckland Zoo's oldest male orang-utan.