Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the Government will consider over the next week or two whether to join a legal bid by Australia to stop Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.
Australia is to lodge legal papers in the International Court of Justice in The Hague this week.
Its Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, says there is no guarantee the bid will succeed but his government believes it is the best approach.
Mr McCully says New Zealand is operating on a different timetable and is more involved in efforts to find a diplomatic solution through the International Whaling Commission.
