Loved this !!



A little more with video at     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11884039

 

Where's Rufus when you need him!

It appears Rufus is under contract to the high brow All England mob at Wimbles, & they don't release him to "play" at the lower levels.
And I guess they want to keep him sharp & game ready, otherwise he might lose his edge & go off chasing other bits of tail feather?
Chuckle   

I noticed this yesterday on the TVOne News web site, but that site doesn't work for me that well. So cute !!

Kiwi toddler who rode pony through dairy goes viral
2 Aug, 2017 11:22am

Three-year-old Paris Smith rides through the Tirohanga Beach Store on her pet pony. Photo / Ema Williams / Facebook

The Tirohanga Beach Store in Opotiki has gone viral after letting a toddler ride her pony through the story to pick up delicious treats.
Paris Smith, 3, was filmed riding into the store where she bought Penguin lollies before making her way home.

New store owner Ray Williams told the Herald he and his wife Ema wanted to keep the shop's long-running tradition going.
"It's a tradition for the store from two owners ago. They were telling my wife of things they used to do when they used to run the store.
"They used to allow people to ride their bikes into the store, their husband used to do it as well.
"We're fairly remote down here so we are looking for any kind of entertainment."

Ema Williams said that when her husband let the toddler and pony in the store, he knew nothing about the previous owners' policy until she told him.

The footage of the toddler's pony ride has attracted more than 59,000 views.

Ray said the reaction has been positive.
"It's all been very cool. The reaction has been great. Everyone is laughing along with it.
"I'm just happy a feel good story like this has had a positive impact on the community."

Source:     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11897929
There is a video on the Herald site, not working right now.

And another one

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-only-in-opotiki-teen-makes-brilliant-one-kind-entrance-school-ball-tractor

Perhaps there's something in the water in these parts . . . .

World-famous kākāpō Sirocco reappears after two years lost on remote island
8 Feb, 2018 10:09am

After two years “off the grid”, Sirocco, DOC's spokesbird kākāpō, has come out of hiding. / Department of Conservation
NZ Herald

The world's most famous kākāpō, Sirocco, has been found alive and well on his home island off the Fiordland coast after going missing for two years.

The flightless parrot, who turns 21 next month, shot to fame in 2009 when he hopped on the head of a zoologist on Codfish Island, apparently trying to mate with the man, in 2009.

BBC presenter Stephen Fry then uttered the phrase: "Sorry, but this is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. You are being shagged by a rare parrot."

He was found again on the island this week by two Conservation Department rangers after two years off the radar due to a failed transmitter.

Kākāpō operations manager Deidre Vercoe said it was great to check in with the famous parrot after his hiatus from the public eye.

"While we've been out to search for him a few times, we were confident he'd be perfectly happy out there in the wild in his predator-free home," she said.

"We did miss him and his quirky personality, though, and we've been really keen to catch up with him."

Sirocco imprinted on humans as a chick, after he required extensive treatment for a respiratory illness. Vercoe said he was still friendly with people and appeared no worse for wear.

"However, the kākāpō team will be taking a precautionary approach until they can better understand his demeanour and behaviour after two years of bachelor life," she said.

"We know people will be keen to see him return to public life. However, like a true superstar, any future plans will be on his terms."

Sirocco has since thrilled tens of thousands of Kiwi fans during popular live appearances while on "tour" around New Zealand. He jetted around the country like a rock star in a customised travel box strapped into a window seat on the plane, so he could look out.

He also has his own Facebook and Twitter pages, which are followed hundreds of thousands of people.

And Sirocco is also the only bird with a government job. In 2010 he was made official spokesbird for conservation by Prime Minister John Key and even visited the Beehive to meet and greet the politicians.

Since then, he's been a famous advocate for kākāpō conservation, making occasional appearances at sites such as predator-free sanctuaries around New Zealand.

Only 150 kākāpō survive on remote islands off the NZ coast.

Source (with videos) :     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11990303

Just had to record this for  . . . er . . .  posterity ?

Wandering Horowhenua llama falls into giant empty grave, rescued by digger
12 Dec, 2018 2:15pm


Diggory eventually made his way out of the hole with the help of a digger. Photo / Horowhenua Chronicle

 A llama has had to be rescued by a digger after trampling over a fence and falling into a huge hole in the ground.
The appropriately-named llama, Diggory, ended up in what was intended to be a llama graveyard.
"When big animals die you need to dispose of them quickly," said owner Elise Atkinson, who was ready for that eventuality, though the holes she had dug were fenced off.
The fences weren't enough to keep the 18-year-old llama out.


Danny Ireland and his crew digging a ramp for the stuck llama to get out. Photo / Horowhenua Chronicle

Atkinson's property was now home to mainly elderly llamas, although she was once a breeder and had 80 animals at one stage.
"I have been trying to wind it down for the past 14 years and now have only 18 animals left," she said.
"Winding down is not easy because you want to be sure they end up in good hands."
Digger man Danny Ireland had to come to Diggory's rescue on Saturday.


Diggory deep in the hole in the llama graveyard. Photo / Horowhenua Chronicle

 "He dug a big trench and then made it into a ramp for Diggory to walk out of the hole he was in."
"I was very concerned about Diggory. Thought he'd be frantic, but he took it all in his stride and showed considerable interest in Danny the diggerman's handiwork.
 "At the appropriate time Diggory calmly walked out and went back to graze as if nothing had happened."
Atkinson said she did a regular head count of her animals and noticed there was one fewer than the day before, so went searching for that wandering llama, who seemed unfazed by his plight.
"I can't believe how cool he was about it all," she said.
"Danny Ireland and his crew are great with the animals. They are so careful and gentle."

Source:    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12174226

Wolfie, the llama is one hell of a story!

Good read, thanks Wolfie

Five thousand little yellow ducks are set to flex their wings and put in the hard yards ahead of their biggest race yet next month.

The Great Tauranga Duck Race is in its third year, and sees rubber ducks big and small let loose in Tauranga Harbour.


Brett Bell-Booth is hoping people will sponsor a duck for the big race.

The event aims to raise funds for three local surf lifesaving clubs in Papamoa, Omanu and Mount Maunganui.

Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club event leader, Brett Bell-Booth, says: “Our surf lifesaving clubs work tirelessly to keep our beaches safe, and the Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club want to support their efforts.”

There will be three duck races this year, including the General Duck Race, a School’s Duck Race and the Corporate Duck Race.

The general race will feature 5000 numbered rubber ducks, and you can buy a ticket for $5 which matches the number on a duck. The ducks are scooped out at the end of the race, and if the ticket has been sold for first, second and third, the winner will receive $1000. There’s a runners-up prize of $500, while third place will win $250.

In the General Duck Race, all 5000 ducks will be put in a container,” explains Brett. “A crane at the start line will drop that container of ducks into the water, which is quite spectacular.

Then the tide will take them across to the start line, which is about 100 metres away.

The surf club and an IRB will be on patrol to ensure no ducks get away.

The School’s Duck Race involves larger ducks, and each student will represent their school as they try and win $1000 worth of supplies, ranging from sports equipment to educational items such as books and stationary.

We also have a Corporate Duck race, where large ducks are sold for $200 plus GST and corporates can dress their duck with their own branding,” says Brett. “Basically it’s all about bragging rights.

Last year, someone had attached a motor to their duck and they blitzed the field by remote control. This year, to make it a bit fairer, we have two sections - an unassisted and an assisted race.”

On the day there will also be spot prizes for best dressed ducks as well as trophies available for the winners.

Brett assures that no rubber ducks are harmed in the race. They will be pulled out, put back in the container and trucked back to Dunedin to be reused again.

With the large ducks, schools are welcome to take them home and reuse them for next year’s race.

“We’d love to see all 5000 ducks sold on the day,” says Brett. “Last year we raised $20,000 for the lifeguard services, and this year we hope to raise $10,000 for each club, so come on down and join in on the fun.”

The Great Tauranga Duck Race will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 10.30am-1.30pm on The Strand.

Purchase your duck today at: Rotary Club of Tauranga - Te Papa : The Great Tauranga Duck Race or visit Papamoa, Omanu or Mount Maunganui Lifeguard clubs.

Source:    https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/204995-rubber-duckies-battle-and-bobble-first-place.html