A whale that washed up last week around 40km north of Muriwai beach on Auckland's west coast will be left to rot, the Department of Conservation says.

New Zealand won't join in Australian court action over Japanese whaling but will have input into the case.

New Zealand is one of four nations calling for whaling protest ships in the Southern Ocean to safeguard life at sea.

New Zealand has told Japan its whaling ships will be closely watched during the season that is about to start, which will see whalers enter our search and rescue zone.

Kayaker Mark Jones had unexpected company when a pod of whales surrounded him as he paddled to Great Barrier Island.

The possible connection between undersea noise and mass whale strandings in New Zealand deserves more attention, say marine scientists.

Pete Bethune has alleged Sea Shepherd ordered him to scuttle the Ady Gil after its collision with a Japanese whaling vessel.

Effort being made to cut free the Australian humpback from debris and buoys.

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.