Hope is fading for 17 missing fishermen after a South Korean trawler sank in the Southern Ocean, claiming at least five other lives.

The search for 17 people missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the Southern Ocean early today has been scaled down as it becomes increasingly unlikely further survivors will be found.

Five people are dead and 17 missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean, 2700km south east of Bluff, early this morning.

State-owned coal miner Solid Energy's plans to turn low-grade Southland lignite coal deposits into massive new industries make no sense and the coal should remain in the ground, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

A weekend for BBQing is on the cards as a large and strong anticyclone in the Tasman Sea pushes over the country.

New Zealand's road to the 2012 London Olympic begins in Adelaide this weekend at the Oceania track championships.

The New Zealand national team threw down the gauntlet early on the opening day of the cycling Tour of Southland.