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.

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

Howling winds up to 100kmh are hampering efforts to rescue 24 surviving whales on a beach in the Far North.

A large pod of pilot whales stranded on a Far North beach will hopefully be refloated tomorrow.

Surviving pilot whales from a stranded pod may have to be refloated at a more sheltered bay.

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.

Just nine of the 63 whales found stranded on a Northland beach on Friday have survived.

Eleven pilot whales have been successfully transported and refloated at Matai Bay after a mass stranding on Karikari Beach near Kaitaia yesterday.

The number of whales to have perished on Karikari beach has now reached 44 - but rescuers are trying to save 14 survivors.

A huge sperm whale has been torched and butchered after washing up on a beach in the Wairarapa.