An embarrassed TVNZ has been forced to apologise to viewers after it was duped into broadcasting a live-to-air interview with a fake pro-whaling lobbyist.

Pete Bethune is axed from future Sea Shepherd anti-whaling protests for having a bow and arrows on board the sunken Ady Gil.

The state broadcaster has admitted it was duped by a prankster pretending to be a pro-whaling advocate.

An orca that washed up dead near Whakatane has been buried in a nearby Maori cemetery despite researchers wanting to perform an autopsy.

Pete Bethune's defence in court that he thought firing acid bottles at a Japanese whaling ship was safe has sparked widespread reaction in Japan.

NZ will join Australia in taking legal action over Japan's whaling programme if last minute diplomatic solutions are not found.

The NZ anti-whaling activist has been called a "fascist" and a "terrorist" by a jeering spectator during his court appearance in Tokyo.

Australia will initiate action in the International Court of Justice, seeking to prevent Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Whale's calls of distress brought mother and brother dangerously close to shore.

Peter Bethune is not expected to plead guilty to an assault charge when he faces court in Tokyo tomorrow.

Anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune, imprisoned in Japan, believes he will be found guilty and fears a lengthy jail sentence.

The NZ Govt is putting pressure on Japan to participate in an investigation into the sinking of an anti-whaling vessel, John Key says.

A lack of Japanese co-operation has meant an Australian investigation into Ady Gill's collision with a whaling boat was 'inconclusive'.

Whales ... are terrifying the fish by looming over them when they are trying to mate, thus rendering them fearful and incapable of the act of breeding.

The Japanese Coast Guard has obtained an arrest warrant for the leader of the Sea Shepherd environmental group.

The NZ foreign minister rejects a new whaling proposal allowing nations to continue commercial whaling for another decade.