"Bugger," a senior official exclaimed. "Well at least the Aussies will be paying for the repair."

EXCLUSIVE: Robotic "drone" spy planes flying by remote control could be used to patrol New Zealand's waters.

Former All Black Va'aiga Tuigamala says some of his wife's relatives were among those who perished in last week's tragedy.

Depth of the sunken ferry Princess Ashika means the recovery of the 93 bodies trapped inside would be a prohibitively costly, lengthy and dangerous process.