A shark that swam from New Zealand to Fiji has returned home for Christmas, rounding off an 11,000km odyssey and amazing the scientists who tracked her journey.

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.

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.

A wrangler at the centre of claims animals were mistreated during filming of The Hobbit stands by his allegations, but says he never intended to tarnish the movie.

Sir Peter Jackson says accusations of animal cruelty are distressing to dedicated staff.

Scientists in Britain have found a way to get dogs with severe spinal injuries back on their feet in a discovery that raises hopes for paralysed humans.

Armed with air rifles, silencers and night vision goggles, hunters will be staking out the Alexandra bridge over the next few weeks.

An Eketahuna woman is singing the praises of her english cocker spaniel Izzy after it sniffed out another dog that had been trapped for four days on a sheer cliff face.

Over 300 people took part in an ape-themed "amazing race" around Auckland Zoo last night to raise money for the critically endangered orangutan.

Over 300 people took part in an ape-themed "amazing race" around Auckland Zoo last night to raise money for the critically endangered orangutan.