Emily Writes: RIP Fanimals, New Zealand’s best kids TV show in years

A few days ago, Fanimals announced it would not be returning for another season. Emily Writes, and her kids, are heartbroken. On my list of things I might write about one day it simply said ‘Fanimals’ sandwiched between ‘How old is BeckBroJack?’ and ‘Is Peter Krause the most dad-like dad on television?’ I wanted to write … Read more

TVNZ’s new animal documentary has more drama than the Lion King

Ahead of TVNZ1’s new wildlife documentary Serengeti, Tara Ward presents the best animals that make up the juiciest drama on the plains. If you love nature docos filled with argy-bargy and love triangles, jealous siblings and power struggles, then TVNZ’s new wildlife documentary series Serengeti is a dream come true. The brainchild of ex-Spice Girls … Read more

First comes love, then comes an all-day orgy, then comes a tiny floofy capybara

Resident capybara reporter Emily Writes checks in on Wellington Zoo’s beautiful new addition. As exclusively reported right here back in April, the capybaras at Wellington Zoo have been going at it like Carmen and Jimmy on Married at First Sight. And now, as can happen following all-day orgies, a baby has arrived. Oh joy of … Read more

The Sunday List: 20 things that blocked traffic on New Zealand’s State Highway 1

It’s one of the great genres of New Zealand news: the unusual thing that just blocked our main arterial road. Here’s a sampler. The Timaru sea lion A repeat offender. “He’s just living up what we have to offer here in Timaru … He’s been having fun as young guys tend to do,” said Timaru … Read more

Our animal welfare laws are barking up the wrong tree

Animal rescue organisations in New Zealand are overworked and overflowing with stray animals in need of a caring home, Ellen Sinclair reports.  The SPCA takes in over 40,000 animals every year, and with rescue organisations all over the country full with abandoned, dumped or stray pets, New Zealand has a serious surplus of animals in … Read more

Too rude: the Wellington Zoo capybaras are going at it like rabbits

Forget Married at First Sight, the craziest hookups are happening at Wellington Zoo. Capybara reporter Emily Writes reveals all. I’ve been obsessed with the capybaras at Wellington Zoo for a long time now. They first arrived in 2016 from Paris. Sister wives Vara, Guara and Iapa and pseudo husband Guarani. I loved them on sight, … Read more

Look at this sheep that is like a poodle!

LOOK AT ITS FACE AND EARS WHAT ABOUT ITS NOSE. THIS LIL SHEP IS A Swiss Valais Blacknose BUT YOU CAN CALL IT FLOOFY SAMWHICH POODLE BOI. Wairarapa farmer Christine Reed told Radio NZ that along with several business partners formed Valais Blacknose NZ and imported the breed as embryos from the UK about a year and … Read more

Breaking news: Wellington mum gives birth to seven adorable rat pig babies

Wellington woke to the delightful news that Iapa, beloved wine barrel with legs currently being adorable at Wellington Zoo, has popped out seven precious little capybara pups. Noted capybara fan Emily Writes got the exclusive.  Capybaras are a wonderful animal, universally loved and adored – they are friends to all. They are like rat pig … Read more

Imagine a world without Pamol: how animal parents medicate their kids

Our favourite animal expert Thom Adams is back to reassure us about our parenting choices by looking to the animal world. I’m not sure why, but first-time parents have this weird resistance to giving their kids medicine. It happened to me, and I don’t know why. Fever, snotty noses and coughs are all natural responses … Read more

‘The miracle of horrific biology’: How the animal kingdom proves that pregnancy sucks for everyone

Our Animals Expert and dad Thom Adams looks at the wonders of pregnancy in the wild and comes away with a powerful message for pregnant women everywhere: next time you’re feeling like shit because your heartburn is killing you, just be thankful you’re not carrying a third of your own bodyweight in eggs. I’ll say … Read more