The Maritime Union says crew morale is very low on a log ship that's left New Zealand after two deaths on board.
The first mate on the Korean owned-vessel, and a seaman died of apparent suffocation, on Monday after entering a hold full of logs.
A union spokesperson, Victor Billot says crew members wanted to leave the ship in Whangarei, but were persuaded to stay with it for the trip back to Korea.
Mr Billot says the union was able to broker an agreement for the crew to stay on board, on condition they are paid out in Korea, given a bonus, and repatriated to their countries.