New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says he has told Japan's prime minister face-to-face that Kiwis want to see the end of all whaling.
But Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has confirmed Japan is looking into the possibility of resuming scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean.
The two leaders discussed the controversial practice during talks on Monday at Government House in Auckland. Mr Abe is due in Australia this evening.
Mr Key says he made it clear that the international community would disapprove of any sort of whaling.
"I certainly expressed the real concern that New Zealanders have about whaling. I think it's fair to say there are differences in viewpoints taken," Mr Key said.
"The prime minister did make it clear that they are looking at what sort of whaling program, in theory, could be conducted that fits within the rules."
An International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision in March ruled Japan had to cease its Southern Ocean whaling programme immediately.
Mr Key wouldn't rule out getting the navy involved if Japan breached the court's ruling.
During a joint press conference after the talks, Mr Abe refused to rule out whaling in the future, but said his country would abide by the verdict of the ICJ.
Last month, Japan said it had caught 30 whales in its annual "research" hunt off its northern coast. The hunt is not affected by the ICJ decision.
The two leaders also discussed the Trade Pacific Partnership, a free trade partnership between 12 countries, including Japan and New Zealand.
Mr Key said it was very unlikely Japan would drop out of the negotiations despite disagreement between the two countries over tariffs on agriculture.
Both leaders offered sympathy over Japanese and New Zealand nationals killed in 2011 earthquakes.
Mr Abe is flying to Christchurch to pay his respects to the 28 Japanese citizens who lost their lives in the February 2011 earthquake.
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