Three companies are trying again to secure land use rights for large-scale dairy farming in the Omarama and Ohau regions.

There's Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, Twitter ... and now Dogbook.

If the kids are city slickers, get visit a local petting farm to get them in touch with some of New Zealand's favourite animals.

One of Auckland Zoo's oldest residents, Snorkel the hippopotamus, was euthanised last night after her health deteriorated.

Poor conditions may prevent the rescue of a second whale entangled in rope today.

DOC staff are investigating reports of another 12-15 metre humpback whale caught in rope and plastic in the Far North.

A large humpback whale which was tangled in rope off the Far North coast has been freed this afternoon.

Fierce monkeys and snake charmers have been deployed at several Commonwealth Games venues to try to protect athletes.

Department of Conservation staff attempting to free a humpback whale tangled in ropes in Doubtless Bay in the Far North have called off the operation for the night.

A man is defending accusations that he held a rabbit by its ears and thrust it at passers-by in Auckland's Queen Street.

Cape Kidnappers is a rugged, chaotic and whiffy bird-lovers' paradise, writes Paul Rush.