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

Auckland Zoo is sending one of its female red pandas, Khosuva, to India in exchange for a male red panda at Darjeeling Zoo in India.

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.

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

Some British consumers say they won't buy New Zealand lamb because of concerns over the halal method of killing animals.

We have a family pass valued at $390 for two adults and two children to venture out to one of the most diverse marine parks in the world - Auckland's own Hauraki Gulf.

DoC was forced to end the misery of seven whales that re-beached themselves at Rarawa Bay.

More than half of the 24 whales being refloated in the Far North this evening have made it into the water, but three have died.

Volunteers last night comforted stranded whales that had been moved from a Far North beach to a nearby stream.

The recent severe weather may have played a part in the birth of a zebra at Auckland Zoo.

Gales and heavy rain pounding the North Island have shattered weather records, and winds last night hampered rescue efforts after a mass whale stranding at the northern tip of NZ.

More than 40 of the 80 pilot whales stranded at Spirits Bay have died and the rest will have to be relocated by road because of rough weather conditions.

DOC staff are scrambling to get enough help to save up to 30 whales still stranded at Spirits Bay, north of Kaitaia. At least 43 have died.