Anti-whaling vessel the Steve Irwin is tipped to visit Dunedin for fuel and repairs following its campaign against the Japanese whaling fleet in Antarctic waters.
Paul Watson, the captain of the Steve Irwin and spokesman for the Sea Shepherd conservation society, said the vessel would return to either Hobart or Dunedin.
"I would prefer New Zealand - it is closer and we have a lot of support there."
The Dutch-registered vessel required repairs and fuels before beginning its bluefin tuna campaign in the Mediterranean in May, and could visit Dunedin in March.
"But we need to get clearance," he said.
Last year, the vessel requested it be allowed to refuel in Dunedin, before opting for Hobart.
A spokesman for Foreign Minister Murray McCully said at the time, the vessel "is welcome to refuel and it is welcome to leave".
Yesterday, a spokesman for Mr McCully told the Otago Daily Times the minister would be making no comment "until such time as they make a formal application to come to New Zealand".
Capt Watson said he was offended by requests from Mr McCully for both anti-whaling protesters and the Japanese whalers to show restraint before someone was killed.
The Government was only interested in protecting its trade relationship with Japan, and not helping the crew of the New Zealand-registered Ady Gil, which collided with a Japanese whaling vessel in the Southern Ocean this week, he said.
The Institute of Cetacean Research spokesman Glenn Inwood, of Wellington, said the Steve Irwin should not be welcomed to Dunedin or any other New Zealand ports.
