Nicole Mathewson

Canterbury woman spends 10 years and $200k importing rare wild horses When Karen Weibel set out to find a new horse for her daughter, she had no idea it would lead to her importing New Zealand’s first breeding pair of a rare and exceptionally striking wild horse.

Animal story of the day

Photographer ‘horrified’ watching killer ducks eat pūteketeke chicks The Ashburton woman was with her 12-year-old grandson when he alerted her to “a duck with a chick” in its mouth.

Animal story of the day

My dog would... but she will never get the chance

Killer ducks put down after eating Bird of the Century chicks Three mallard ducks have been euthanised after being found eating pūteketeke chicks alive in the Mackenzie District, a behaviour so far unknown to DOC experts.

Animal story of the day

Vet’s long weekend warning, as spotted shag chicks terrorised by dogs and dirt bikes Excited pups can be the “last straw” for vulnerable young seabirds, even if they don’t bite them.

Animal story of the day

Kiwi baby boom at sanctuary Up to 15 kiwi pukupuku chicks are now roaming through

Animal story of the day

Tramper takes feral kitten on 50km trek from endangered bird habitat A chance encounter on the Te Araroa Trail turned into a 50km rescue mission after a tramper found a frightened kitten deep inside a protected Canterbury forest.

Animal story of the day

Prosthetic leg saves disabled puppy Faced with the decision to euthanise or return it to the breeder, Fernanda Bentley came up with another option.

Animal story of the day: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Long neck, big journey: Kevin the giraffe sets off on road trip north It’s not every day you get stuck behind a giraffe on the highway — Kevin’s heading north from Orana Wildlife Park, and this curious traveller might just poke his head out to say hello.

Animal story of the day

‘Precious bunnies’ stolen from two Christchurch wildlife centres A rare critically endangered breed of rabbit is one of several missing from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, while six others have been taken from another animal education park.

Animal story of the day: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

700 dogs, one crown: Canterbury hosts its hairiest showdown If you spot a four-legged friend wandering the streets of Rangiora this week, snap a photo - you might just capture New Zealand's next top dog.

Animal story of the day

Latte clocks more than four years on the dog adoption list Six-year-old Latte loves people, but has the unfortunate title of being the Dogwatch dog that has been up for adoption the longest - a whopping four years and three months.

Animal story of the day

South Island pups take out NZ Top Dog titles “Mobile counsellor” Koozer took out second place for top office dog two years in a row. This year he took out the top spot.

Animal story of the day

A counsellor, fire investigator and rest home resident: NZ ‘Top Dog’ finalists announced Koozer has taken on the role of “mobile counsellor” at Christchurch Airpark and is gunning for top dog in a job after coming second the past two years in a row.

Animal story of the day

Antihistamines and ‘extra wobbles’ at Christchurch’s cat cafe Love cats but not the allergic reaction? That’s not stopping some Catnap Cafe visitors from enjoying some time with an off-balance moggy.

Animal story of the day

The ‘oldest geckos in the world’ found in Canterbury “They’ve existed on this postage stamp of an island since before the moon landing.”

Animal story of the day

Record bat numbers counted at Pelorus Bridge Record high numbers of bats have been captured and tracked during an annual count of the vulnerable mammal.

Animal story of the day

Animal story of the day

Missing dog’s seven-week adventure ends in happy reunion Kelly, the 8-year-old mixed breed mutt, went AWOL in Invercargill before making her way to Gore where she was enticed to safety by the scent of her owner.

Animal story of the day

Seagull Pit: ‘9th wonder of the world’ Google Maps has marked a desolate concrete site in central Christchurch as a must-see for visitors.

Animal story of the day

Cakes for fur babies get wag of approval There’s no blowing out candles, cutting the cake or sharing a slice, but it’s probably for the best when it comes to Pupfetti Parties’ wares for man’s best friend.

Animal story of the day

High hopes for threatened whio after release onto West Coast river Seven young whio born in captivity have been released into a new habitat in the Moeraki valley, a project which will boost conservation efforts in the area.

Animal story of the day

Critically threatened petrel given second home A small group of Whenua Hou diving petrel have relocated to a new location in the hopes of restoring the critically-threatened birds’ population.

Animal story of the day

The Press is hiring! We're looking for a Journalist with a hunger to tell the news that matters to Te Waipounamu, the South Island, in compelling ways both digitally and in print media.

We're also looking for a Senior Journalist keen to report on business, economics and infrastructure projects.

‘Am I just watching an extinction?': One woman's decade-long vigil for an elusive bird After yet another devastating breeding season for Kaikōura’s banded dotterels, a citizen scientist reflects on her decade of chronicling death, and what can be done to save the fragile species.

Animal story of the day

A new place to paws: Meatworks cat finds somewhere to call home A small black cat who captured the hearts of workers at Alliance Smithfield is settling into her new home after the plant’s closure.

Animal story of the day

Police statement on a swimmers death off the coast of Mt Wellington

Google Map showing the outline of Mt Wellington, Auckland.

The info came from police and Google Maps shows coastline for the suburb of Mt Wellington

University of Canterbury students Will Maxted, left, and Sam Taylor work on their model kōkako.

Animal story of the day - An all-singing, all-dancing robot is joining the hunt for the elusive South Island kōkako.

www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3605...

A true once-in-a-lifetime moment:

Wordle 1,290 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Inspiring Cantabrians (clockwise from top left): Nick Inkster, Rhys Blissett, Phil and Sue Bagshaw, Vicki Buck, Brian Clemens

If you are struggling to find your holiday cheer, take some time to reflect on just a few of the impressive people who have featured in The Press this year. www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3605...