New Zealand is on a collision course with Australia over its change in position on whaling.

Both countries have attended an informal meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Florida, which aimed to set out an international deal on whaling.

New Zealand has said Australia will have to strike a compromise and abandon its push for a total ban on whaling.

Under an alternative deal, Japan, Norway and Iceland would be able to openly hunt whales, but there would be a reduction in the total catch over the next 10 years.

Paul Watson from the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd says the New Zealand government has given in to extreme pressure from Japan.

But the New Zealand government says it is still pushing for a ban on whaling in the Southern Ocean.

New Zealand's representative to the International Whaling Commission, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, says the focus is on reaching a diplomatic agreement.

Australia opposes the plan and its stance forced a stalemate at the commission's weekend meeting.