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.

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.

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.

Gales and heavy rain pounding the North Island have shattered weather records, and winds last night hampered rescue efforts after a mass whale stranding at the northern tip of NZ.

More than 40 of the 80 pilot whales stranded at Spirits Bay have died and the rest will have to be relocated by road because of rough weather conditions.

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.