Japanese whalers and anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd are once again pointing the finger at each other after a collision at sea.

John Key says progress has been made on a deal which would end Japanese whaling in Antarctica.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society today filed with NZ police a complaint of attempted murder against the captain of a Japanese whaling ship.

The New Zealand Government is taking a passive role while Kiwi lives are put at risk and Japan's whalers get a green light, says Labour MP.

Anti-whaling protesters say Japanese whalers ignored distress calls after the Ady Gil was severely damaged during a collision.

The NZ anti-whaling vessel half-destroyed when it and a Japanese whaling harpoon ship collided is too damaged to be salvaged.

The NZ Government has called for restraint after an anti-whaling protest vessel and Japanese harpoon ship collided in Antarctica yesterday.

The crew of a NZ trimaran harassing Japanese whalers have been rescued after a collision between their boat and a Japanese ship.

More than 120 whales died over 48 hours in two separate beachings, the Department of Conservation says.

Helen Van Berkel searches the Hauraki Gulf for those gentle giants - Bryde's whales