The whale measured 21.7 metres in length and was estimated to weigh around 20 tonnes.
Environment
10:20am
The Rangatira spider is one of New Zealand’s largest spiders, with females weighing up to five grams before laying eggs — almost as much as the country’s smallest bird.
Mon, Aug 10
Jo Jones managed to pull her pet out before her head went under "very wide-eyed, it gave her a fright".
Fri, Aug 7
Ministry for Primary Industries detector beagle Hunter finished up his baggage carousel duty with an astonishing four different interceptions.
New Zealand
A shearer caught on film abusing three lambs was drinking too much as he struggled to cope with his father's death, a court heard.
Crime and Justice
The 12-year-old tabby, Steps, went missing on Monday night — sparking a city-wide search and pleas for information on his whereabouts.
Thu, Aug 6
Energy giant Meridian has consent to build 230,000 solar panels in Morrinsville, and sheep will be grazing under and between panels to maximise land productivity.
Wed, Aug 5
Two cats were shot with pellet guns in separate incidents last week.
Tue, Aug 4
The adventurous pup was spotted making its way through Papakura yesterday.
Sat, Aug 1
A video by Gladstone Region Snake Catchers shows the snake hanging off the roof of a house while gripping the bird.
World
Fri, Jul 31
A Brisbane veterinarian said there were "clearly no regrets" in the dog's decision.
The ACT party has said it wants the National Game Animal Council to be in charge of hunting game animals on conservation land, instead of DOC.
Thu, Jul 30
It's estimated there will be a need to rehome 1400 dogs who have been bred for racing.
"This is a profoundly disappointing decision," says the SPCA.
Business
Wed, Jul 29
Race clubs hold their final meetings, some attended by animal activists who lobbied for the closures.
Politics
Tue, Jul 28
Henry Gibbs posted a video to his Instagram account of the moment he was attacked, explaining what happened leading up to the bite.
Data from Southern Cross Pet Insurance and PD Insurance has revealed which breed of pampered pets are generating the most insurance claims.
Sun, Jul 26
The ACT party wants to give hunters a "real stake in managing and looking after our conservation estate".
Sat, Jul 25
Norton travelled all the way from Hataitai to Johnsonville hidden inside the unsuspecting driver's bonnet.
Fri, Jul 24
The cat appeared on the Department of Conservation's Northern Royal Albatross camera at Taiaroa Head on Wednesday.
Thu, Jul 23
Barnaby Joyce's tone towards his dog Stella this morning was much different to that earlier in the week.
Wed, Jul 22
Carl McDaniel was launched metres in the air when the bison charged at him, and has lived to tell the tale.
Kat Thomas wanted the product removed from sale, although the retailer said the natural bone products can splinter and come with safety warnings.
Tue, Jul 21
The odd moment came during an interview where Barnaby Joyce defended One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over her meeting with a controversial far-right UK activist.
A native kāhu – or swamp harrier hawk – in the region was the country's second confirmed case of the deadly H5 strain of the virus.
Health
Mon, Jul 20
