New Zealand, the island nation nestled in the southwestern Pacific, boasts two main landmasses—the North and South Islands—each teeming with natural wonders, cultural depth, and quirky stories. From ancient Māori heritage to modern feats, we’ll guide you through 15 interesting places that capture the spirit of Aotearoa. Buckle up for a fun, informative ride through this remarkable country.

1 Kawekaweau: The Giant Extinct Gecko

The Kawekaweau, a now‑extinct giant gecko, once roamed New Zealand’s forests. Measuring at least 600 mm (about two feet) in length, it was the largest gecko known to science. The sole recorded sighting dates back to 1870, when a Māori chief shot one beneath a dead rata tree in the Waimana Valley, today part of Te Urewera National Park.

Described as “brownish with reddish stripes and as thick as a man’s wrist,” this impressive lizard vanished from the wild long ago. In 1986, a stuffed specimen surfaced in the basement of France’s Natural History Museum of Marseille, its journey to Europe a mystery. By 1990, the Kawekaweau found a home at Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, whose name translates to “the place of treasures of this land.”

2 Pounamu: The Sacred Greenstone

Pounamu, commonly called greenstone, refers to hard, durable nephrite jade, bowenite, or serpentinite found in select South Island rivers. Māori identify four main types: kawakawa, kahurangi, īnanga, and tangiwai. Kahurangi, the rarest, boasts a translucent hue prized for its beauty.

Deeply embedded in Māori culture, pounamu symbolizes strength and endurance. In 1997, the Crown returned ownership of all natural pounamu to the Ngāi Tahu tribe. Today, greenstone remains a treasured gift to visitors and emigrants alike, celebrated for its lasting allure.

3 Globster and Zuiyo‑maru Carcass

New Zealand’s waters have long yielded puzzling sea‑monster sightings. In 1968, a 30‑ft long, 8‑ft high carcass washed ashore at Muriwai, baffling a University of Auckland zoologist who declared, “I can’t think of anything it resembles.” Photographs show a hairy, blob‑like mass.

Later, in 1977, the Japanese trawler Zuiyō Maru recovered another odd specimen off Christchurch. Though initially thought to be a new beast, analysis suggested it was a basking shark with an unusually long neck and four large fins. The creature sparked a “plesiosaur‑craze” in Japan before being lost back to the sea.

4 William Trubridge: The Record‑Breaking Free‑Diver

New Zealand’s William Trubridge shattered the 100‑metre barrier in unassisted free‑diving. On 16 December 2010, he dove to 101 m on a single breath, using only his hands and feet for propulsion—no fins, weights, or sleds. The feat, performed at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas, lasted 4 minutes 10 seconds.

He reclaimed the world record on 10 April 2011, descending 121 m in a free‑immersion dive (using a rope for ascent and descent) in just over four minutes. Beyond his athletic prowess, Trubridge runs an Apnea Academy, teaches free‑diving, and organizes the annual Vertical Blue competition.

5 Aramoana Massacre: The Deadliest Shooting in New Zealand

On 13 November 1990, 33‑year‑old David Gray unleashed a shooting spree in the seaside town of Aramoana, killing 13 people, including police Sergeant Stewart Guthrie. After a massive police response, the Special Tactics Group cornered Gray, who, shouting “Kill me!”, was shot and died en route to the hospital.

The tragedy prompted sweeping gun‑control reforms in New Zealand. Gray’s house was later torched, and the event remains a stark reminder of the nation’s commitment to tighter firearm regulations.

6 Barry Smith: The Prophetic Preacher

Barr​y Smith, a New Zealand preacher, authored eight books on end‑times prophecy, warning of a New World Order, a One‑World Government, and the Mark of the Beast. He foresaw technologies like RFID implants, predicted 9/11 conspiracies, and warned of a global economic collapse.

Smith claimed AIDS originated in a U.S. lab and that a cure existed, and he criticized figures such as Henry Kissinger, labeling him “the Antichrist.” His predictions, controversial yet intriguing, continue to spark debate among believers and skeptics alike.

7 Frying Pan Lake and Waimangu Geyser

Frying Pan Lake, nestled in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, holds the title of the world’s largest hot spring, spanning 3.8 ha (9.3 acres) with depths reaching 20 m. Formed after the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption, the lake’s waters heat between 45‑55 °C, fed by numerous acidic springs.

The same eruption birthed the Waimangu Geyser, once the planet’s most powerful geyser (1900‑1904), shooting water up to 460 m. A 1904 landslide altered the water table, extinguishing the geyser forever.

8 Cryptids of New Zealand

New Zealand’s isolation has birthed a host of cryptid legends: alleged big‑cat sightings in Mid‑Canterbury, the giant Kumi Lizard reminiscent of Australia’s extinct Megalania, and the hairy Moehau hominid rumored to be an escaped gorilla. Others include the Poukai, a monstrous bird said to devour humans, possibly linked to the extinct Haast’s Eagle.

While evidence remains elusive, these tales add a mysterious allure to the nation’s rich natural tapestry.

9 The Catlins Coast: Rugged Wilderness and Hidden Caves

The Catlins Coast, situated in the southeast corner of the South Island, offers dramatic cliffs, temperate rainforests, and the iconic Cathedral Caves, accessible only at low tide. The area is a haven for the rare yellow‑eyed penguin and hosts surf‑hotspots like Kaka Point and Nugget Point.

Visitors can trek to the remote Slope Point, explore the petrified forest at Curio Bay, and admire the tiered Purakaunui Falls, all while soaking in the region’s poetic landscape celebrated by poet Hone Tuwhare.

10 RMS Niagara: The Sunken Treasure Ship

During WWII, German cruiser Orion laid 228 mines around New Zealand. On 19 June 1940, the RMS Niagara struck one near Auckland and sank in 121 m of water. Though no lives were lost, the ship carried a secret consignment of gold and weapons from the Bank of England.

Recovery attempts retrieved over eight tonnes of gold, with 555 bars salvaged; five bars remain on the wreck, valued at about NZ$1.2 million. The mystery of the lost treasure continues to fascinate divers and treasure hunters.

11 Zealandia: The Submerged Continent

New Zealand sits atop Zealandia, a massive submerged continent that broke away from Australia millions of years ago. While most of Zealandia lies underwater, New Zealand represents its largest above‑sea portion, larger than Greenland and nearly half the size of Australia.

Geologists debate the continent’s history, with theories linking it to ancient flora and fauna like the tuatara. Whether fully submerged or partially emergent, Zealandia remains a geological marvel shaping New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.

12 Mount Erebus Disaster: The Tragic Antarctic Flight

On 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE‑901, en route to Antarctica, collided with Mount Erebus, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew. Initial investigations blamed pilot error, but later findings revealed a miscommunication about altered flight coordinates, leading the aircraft directly into the mountain’s path.

The tragedy sparked conspiracy theories and remains New Zealand’s deadliest peacetime disaster, forever etched in the nation’s collective memory.

13 Sir Edmund Hillary: The Legendary Mountaineer

Born in Auckland in 1919, Sir Edmund Hillary rose to fame after summiting Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953. Beyond his historic climb, Hillary funded schools and hospitals in Nepal, explored the South Pole overland, and became the sole New Zealander featured on a banknote during his lifetime.

He survived multiple plane crashes, narrowly missed the 1960 Orion disaster, and remained an outspoken advocate for climbers’ safety until his death on 11 January 2008 at age 88.

14 Baldwin Street: The World’s Steepest Residential Road

Located in Dunedin’s North East Valley, Baldwin Street claims the title of the world’s steepest residential street, boasting an average gradient of 1:2.86 (about 35 %). The road climbs sharply from the valley floor up Signal Hill, offering a thrilling challenge for cyclists and stunt‑seekers alike.

Annual events include the Baldwin Street Gutbuster race and a quirky Jaffa‑rolling competition. The street’s reputation for danger was underscored by a tragic 2001 incident where a student died after attempting to descend the hill inside a wheelie‑bin.

15 The Catlins Coast: A Recap of Natural Wonders

From the extinct Kawekaweau gecko to the daring slopes of Baldwin Street, New Zealand’s 15 interesting places showcase a blend of natural marvels, historic events, and cultural treasures. Whether you’re chasing cryptid legends, diving into geothermal marvels, or tracing the footsteps of legendary explorers, the Land of the Long White Cloud promises unforgettable experiences.

Welcome to our deep‑dive into the top 10 greatest songs that have sprung from the vibrant musical landscape of New Zealand. From country‑styled ballads to avant‑garde synth‑pop, each track on this list has left an indelible mark on the Kiwi soundscape and beyond. Grab your headphones and get ready for a fun, informative, and totally conversational tour of the nation’s most celebrated tunes.

10 Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

“Blue looks good on the sky
Looks good on that neon buzzin’ on the wall
But darling, it don’t match your eyes
I’m tellin’ you
You don’t need that guy
It’s so black and white
He’s stealin’ your thunder
Baby, blue ain’t your color”

Keith Urban, a New Zealand‑born country crooner, first dropped his self‑titled debut in Australia back in 1991 before hopping across the Pacific to the United States the following year. He cut his teeth as a Nashville session player, then formed the band “The Ranch,” which released a single album and scored two charting singles before disbanding.

Urban’s solo breakthrough came in 1999, with the second single “Your Everything” making him the first Kiwi male artist to break into the American Country Music Chart’s Top 10. At the 48th Grammy Awards he snagged his inaugural Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance with “You’ll Think Of Me.” To date his résumé boasts eleven studio albums, twenty Number 1 singles on the U.S. Billboard Country Chart, and over forty tracks that have cracked the Top 10.

“Blue Ain’t Your Color” served as the fourth single from Urban’s eighth studio effort, “Ripcord,” and quickly rose to become his biggest hit to date, spending twelve weeks atop the Hot Country Chart. The track also earned Urban three American Music Awards: Favorite Male Country Artist, Favorite Country Song, and Favorite Country Album. Beyond music, Urban has expanded his profile as a coach on the Australian edition of “The Voice” and as a judge for four seasons of “American Idol,” widening his appeal across television audiences.

9 Flight of the Conchords “Ladies of the World”

“Oh you sexy hermaphrodite lady‑man‑ladies
With your sexy lady bits
And your sexy man bits too
Even you must be in to you
All the ladies in the world
I wanna’ get next to you
Show you some gratitude”

The comedic Kiwi duo Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie birthed Flight of the Conchords after meeting at Victoria University in Wellington. Their early gigs across comedy circuits and festivals caught the BBC’s eye, leading to a six‑part radio series that premiered on BBC Radio Two in September 2005. The show portrayed the pair as “New Zealand’s fourth‑best folk‑guitar‑based jazz, techno, hip‑hop duo,” striving to crack the English music scene. Their fictional manager, Brian (played by Rhys Darby), frequently called Neil Finn—of Crowded House and Split Enz fame—who offered mentorship and industry advice. Comedian Jimmy Carr also appeared, portraying the fervent fan Kipper.

This radio success paved the way for a quirky HBO series that ran two seasons, mirroring the radio premise as the duo chased fame as a two‑piece folk act in New York City. The duo’s rising profile spurred the release of the EP “The Distant Future” in 2007. While Rolling Stone dismissed the EP as “a souvenir of the show” and doubted its replay value, Flight of the Conchords made history in February 2008 by becoming the first non‑American act to win a Comedy Grammy, joining legends like The Smothers Brothers and National Lampoon.

Beyond music, Bret McKenzie snagged an Academy Award in 2012 for the song “Man or Muppet” from the 2011 film “The Muppets.” Jemaine Clement lent his voice to the psychopathic cockatoo Nigel in the hit movie “Rio,” also penning and performing the catchy track “Pretty Bird.”

8 Hayley Westenra “Who Painted the Moon Black?”

Did you see how hard I’ve tried?
Not to show the pain inside
Just as you walked away from me
Who painted the moon black?
Just when you passed your love back
Who painted the moon black?

Hayley Westenra burst onto the international scene as a teen, armed with classical training and a crossover album titled “Pure” released in 2003. The record earned a staggering 12× platinum certification in New Zealand, double‑platinum in the United Kingdom, and platinum in Australia. “Pure” topped the UK Classical Music Chart and impressively entered the pop charts at number 8.

The album’s eclectic blend of classical arias, hymns, light Euro‑pop, and re‑imagined Māori songs offered something for every listener. Its promotional video—featuring Westenra dancing awkwardly against a green‑screen—has been described as cringeworthy, resembling a New Zealand tourism commercial more than a polished music video. Nonetheless, “Who Painted the Moon Black?” and the album as a whole remain the fastest‑selling classical debut ever recorded.

7 OMC “How Bizarre”

“Destination unknown, as we pull in for some gas
Freshly pasted poster reveals a smile from the past
Elephants and acrobats, lions, snakes, monkey
Pele speaks ‘righteous,’ Sister Zina says ‘funky’
How bizarre
How bizarre, how bizarre”

Outside its borders, OMC’s 1995 smash “How Bizarre” is widely regarded as a quintessential one‑hit wonder. The track, hailing from the Otara Millionaire’s Club (a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to the band’s humble roots in one of Auckland’s poorest suburbs), featured on their debut album of the same name.

“How Bizarre” stormed the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40, lingering for 36 weeks on the Hot 100 airplay chart and peaking at number 4. Its appeal was global, charting across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Portugal, Israel, and many European territories, even reaching number 5 in the United Kingdom.

Label owner Simon Grigg described OMC’s sound as a kaleidoscopic fusion: classic Kiwi strum colliding with punk, disco, South Pacific beach vibes, classic soul, and reggae. The result was a track that dominated radio waves, even out‑performing the Spice Girls in New York City’s top‑spot. Though OMC later released additional material, none matched the cultural impact of “How Bizarre,” which VH1 later listed as the 71st greatest one‑hit wonder of all time. The band’s charismatic frontman, Pauly Fuemana, sadly passed away in 2010 at age 40 due to complications from a rare neurological disorder.

6 Shihad “Comfort Me”

“Back up, evolution here
All the sick fucks being born to kill
They just need someone to tell them they’re safe again
They all need someone to tell them that somebody cares
What have we become
Could you comfort me, comfort me?
The whole world’s come undone
Could you comfort me, comfort me?”

Choosing a favourite Shihad track feels like picking a preferred bag of chips—there are many to love, most are solid, and only a few get tossed aside. Since forming in the late‑1980s, Shihad has been a high‑energy, tight‑playing rock act, delivering electrifying live shows and releasing a string of robust albums over nearly three decades.

The band cemented its reputation across New Zealand and Australia, even gaining a foothold in Europe via the festival circuit. After the critically acclaimed fourth album “The General Electric,” industry insiders believed Shihad was primed for a breakthrough in the lucrative American market. However, the September 11 attacks derailed those plans. As vocalist Jon Toogood reflected, “All the ducks were lined up. Then the war happened— in 2001 the name Shihad wasn’t going to fly.”

Shihad’s name originated from a mis‑reading of the Islamic term “jihad” after the band members watched David Lynch’s 1984 cult classic “Dune.” Drummer Tom Larkin explained, “We were 15, loved the sci‑fi vibe, thought ‘Jihad’ sounded cool, but we couldn’t spell it, so we became Shihad.” Post‑9/11, the band’s U.S. label pressured a name change to “Pacifier,” but the timing proved off, and commercial success remained elusive. Two years later they reverted to Shihad.

In 2012 the group released a 102‑minute documentary titled “Beautiful Machine,” chronicling their journey from anonymity to the brink of “It” status, offering an unflinching look at the rock dream. After thirty years, nine solid albums, and a legion of devoted fans, Shihad continues to rock, hoping the next generation will keep their legendary shows alive. With a bit of luck and better timing, they may finally achieve the acclaim they deserve.

5 Shona Laing “(Glad I’m) Not A Kennedy”

“The family tree is felled
Bereavement worn so well
Giving up on certainty
Wilderness society
Wearing the fame like a loaded gun
Tied up with a rosary
I’m glad I’m not a Kennedy”

Shona Laing rose to fame as a teenager in the early 1970s after finishing runner‑up on a televised talent show. Her most iconic track, “(Glad I’m) Not A Kennedy,” first appeared on her 1985 album “Genre,” then received a remix and re‑release on the 1987 album “South.”

The song’s inspiration came from a television moment when Senator Ted Kennedy announced his presidential ambitions. Laing recounted, “I actually just said those words out loud: ‘God, glad I’m not a Kennedy.’ Bells rang, whistles blew, and I sprinted to the shed to write it. It was done and dusted in half an hour. It just poured out.”

4 Lorde “Royals”

“And we’ll never be royals
It don’t run in our blood
That kind of lux just ain’t for us
We crave a different kind of buzz”

Ella Marija Lani Yelich‑O’Connor, better known as Lorde, catapulted to global fame with her 2013 debut album “Pure Heroine.” The single “Royals” skewers the extravagant lifestyles flaunted by contemporary pop stars, delivering a sarcastic, edgy critique.

Lorde explained the song’s genesis: “It was this ridiculous, unrelatable, unattainable opulence that runs throughout. Lana Del Rey sings about the Hamptons, Bugatti Veyrons, and all that. Meanwhile my friends and I were at a house party trying to get home because we couldn’t afford a cab. This is our reality!”

“Royals” dominated the charts, spending nine weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making Lorde, then 16, the youngest artist to achieve that since Tiffany in 1987. She likened the feeling to “a combination of my birthday, Christmas and washing my hair after a month of not doing so.” The track also topped charts in New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, eventually selling over ten million copies worldwide. In 2014 the song earned a Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

3 Split Enz “Six Months In A Leaky Boat”

“Aotearoa
Rugged individual
Glisten like a pearl
At the bottom of the world
The tyranny of distance”

Released in 1982, “Six Months In A Leaky Boat” served as the second single from Split Enz’s album “Time and Tide.” Written by Tim Finn, the song is commonly interpreted as an homage to the perilous six‑month sea voyages early settlers endured to reach New Zealand.

The single stalled at number 83 on the UK Singles Chart, largely due to an airplay ban by the BBC, which feared the lyric “leaky boats” could undermine Royal Navy morale amid the Falklands War. The broadcasters deemed the track too provocative, despite it being written and recorded months before the conflict.

Tim and Neil Finn later clarified that beyond the colonial theme, the song also mirrored Tim’s personal breakup and subsequent mental turmoil. He reflected, “I was going through a lot—breakup, guilt, terror, sadness—everything you go through. It was a hard time.” “Time & Tide” became the band’s third number‑one album in both New Zealand and Australia, eventually climbing to number 71 in the UK.

2 Mi‑Sex “Computer Games”

“I fidget with the digit dots and cry an anxious tear
As the XU‑1 connects the spot
But the matrix grid don’t care
Get a message to my mother
What number would she be
There’s a million angry citizens
Looking down their tubes at me”

“Computer Games,” the second single from Mi‑Sex’s iconic debut “Graffiti Crimes” (1979), still astonishes listeners forty years later. The track vaulted to number 1 in Australia, number 2 in Canada, and number 5 in New Zealand, also gaining traction across Europe and North America despite the band’s risqué name limiting airplay in more conservative markets.

The accompanying video was cutting‑edge for its era, featuring the band breaking into a data centre at Control Data in Sydney. While they performed, vintage graphics projected behind them—driving‑game visuals and Star Wars‑style tie‑fighters—while data tapes spun and printers spewed endless paper.

Mi‑Sex formed a year earlier, comprising frontman Ian Gilpin, keyboardist Murray Burns, bassist Don Martin, lead guitarist Kevin Stanton, and drummer Richard Hodgkinson. Burns later recalled that when they arrived in Australia in late 1978, “bands were still wearing white flares.” He added, “They were great but hadn’t jumped into the edgy sound of the ’80s… we paved the way for a style that later birthed INXS and Icehouse. We got a great following quickly.”

Tragedy struck in January 1992 when Ian Gilpin died in a car crash, leading the band to believe they’d never perform again. Yet nostalgia for ‘80s pop prompted a reunion tour across Australasia, which the members described as “really, really good fun.” Burns noted the song’s lasting legacy: “It was unusual, one‑of‑a‑kind. We got labelled with that song strongly.” The track’s futuristic vibe and tight musicianship earned both the single and its parent album platinum status.

1 Crowded House “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

“Now I’m towing my car, there’s a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there’s no proof
In the paper today, tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page
Hey now, hey now
Don’t dream it’s over”

Much like the heated debate over the true origins of the pavlova, Crowded House claims both New Zealand and Australian heritage. Fronted by New Zealand‑born Neil Finn—formerly of Split Enz and now a member of Fleetwood Mac—the band’s identity leans heavily Kiwi. Though Finn once told an Australian newspaper that Crowded House was proudly Australian and that most songs were inspired in Melbourne, his statements don’t change the fact that the group’s core is New Zealand.

Their self‑titled debut album dropped in 1986, featuring the single “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” which became an international smash, peaking at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Finn described the lyric’s meaning as “on one hand feeling kind of lost, and on the other, urging myself on.”

The track’s timeless appeal endures, and the band’s legacy continues to influence generations of musicians across both shores of the Tasman Sea.

There you have it—the top 10 greatest New Zealand tracks that have left an indelible imprint on music history. From country ballads to synth‑pop anthems, each song tells a unique story of Kiwi creativity and global impact. Which track tops your personal list? Let us know in the comments below!

When the British Empire began its global sweep, few peoples could give the redcoats a run for their money. The Maori of Aotearoa proved to be one of the fiercest opponents, turning the colonial adventure into a nightmare for early settlers. In this roundup of 10 ways maori threw the newcomers into chaos, you’ll discover blood‑soaked first contacts, brutal massacres, and terrifying guerrilla tactics that left the British reeling.

10 Ways Maori: The Brutal Saga

10 First Contact With The Maori Ended In Four European Deaths

When the Maori first laid eyes on European strangers, there was no handshake, no polite greeting—only the clang of war cries and the promise of blood. The encounter unfolded in 1642 when Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman and his crew became the initial Europeans to set foot on Maori shores.

As Tasman’s vessels slipped into what is now known as Golden Bay, the Maori lit signal fires along the coastline, a warning to each other that an unfamiliar ship was approaching and that they should brace for conflict.

At the very first meeting, Maori canoes surged toward the Dutch boats, beating shell‑carved trumpets and attempting to intimidate the newcomers. Tasman’s men answered with cannon fire, sending the Maori fleeing, but the message was clear: these foreigners were not to be taken lightly.

The following day the Maori returned in larger numbers, and Tasman, mistakenly assuming a friendly overture, invited them closer to shore. The Maori suddenly rammed the boats, and a Maori warrior smashed a sailor on the back of the head with a pike, sending him overboard. The ensuing melee claimed four European lives before the Dutch could retreat.

Tasman christened the area “Murderers Bay,” warning that the locals must be regarded as enemies. This grim naming underscored the deadly seriousness of the first encounter.

9 A Tribe Cannibalized James Cook’s Crew

After a century of European avoidance, Captain James Cook finally set foot in New Zealand, opening a new chapter of uneasy contact. Initially, Cook’s crew managed a shaky peace with the Maori, but tensions soon boiled over.

The trouble began when a sailor named Jack Rowe attempted to kidnap several Maori men, angering the local tribe and sowing the seeds of revenge.

On December 17, 1773, Rowe led an expedition ashore to gather food, never to return. As his comrades grew anxious, a second party under James Burney set out to locate the missing men.Burney’s party discovered a Maori canoe and what they thought was a dog carcass, only to uncover a human hand with the initials “TH” – belonging to Thomas Hill, one of the missing men.

Realizing the horror, Burney and his men fled to the beach, where they were met by a throng of Maori who were roasting the dismembered flesh of Rowe’s crew over an open fire, feeding the remains to their dogs.

8 The Boyd Massacre

European settlement soon followed, bringing towns and ports teeming with white faces. Trade began, and some Maori even took jobs on European vessels.

One such Maori, Te Ara, boarded the ship Boyd, expecting the honors due to a chief’s son. The ship’s captain, however, dismissed his status and forced Te Ara into labor. When Te Ara refused, the captain flogged him.

Incensed, Te Ara reported the humiliation to his tribe. The Maori waited until the captain left the ship for shore, then launched a surprise attack, slaughtering everyone on land and cannibalizing the victims.

They then seized the Boyd’s clothing, boarded the vessel, and murdered almost the entire crew—66 people in total. Only four individuals—three children and a mother—were spared.

After the carnage, New Zealand earned the grim nickname “Cannibal Isles,” and European travel guides warned travelers to avoid the region at all costs.

7 Introducing Muskets To The Maori Led To More Than 18,000 Deaths

Not all Europeans shunned the Maori; some runaway sailors and escaped Australian convicts chose to live among them, becoming known as Pakeha Maori—white men who adopted Maori customs.

Through these Pakeha allies, the Maori obtained muskets, a technological leap that upended the balance of power among tribes. The Ngapuhi tribe was first to arm itself, using the new weapons to dominate rivals.

Other tribes quickly followed suit, sparking a four‑decade‑long period of ferocious inter‑tribal warfare, often referred to as the Musket Wars.

By 1845, estimates suggest that as many as 18,000 Maori had perished, with some scholars arguing the toll could have been twice that number. In other words, roughly half of the Maori population vanished during this era.

Fearing the chaos, the British grew uneasy about open trade, prompting a shift in their policies toward the Maori and setting the stage for further conflict.

6 The Wairau Affray

In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by 540 Maori chiefs, granting the British sovereignty over New Zealand while promising Maori rights to land ownership and British citizenship.

Nevertheless, many Maori did not fully grasp the treaty’s implications, but they understood that their land was sacred and would not be surrendered without consent.

The first clash erupted in the Wairau Valley when British settlers, dissatisfied with the amount of land they had purchased, began surveying territory the Maori had not sold. In response, the Maori burned the surveyors’ equipment and sent them back to their ships.

When the settlers attempted to arrest two Maori chiefs for arson, the Maori stood their ground. After the first shot rang out, a fierce fight ensued, resulting in 22 European deaths and a retreat of the remaining settlers.

This violent encounter marked the beginning of a half‑century of land disputes and bloodshed between the colonists and the Maori.

5 The Flagstaff War

In 1842, a Maori named Maketu was tried and hanged for murdering a European woman he believed had mistreated him, a case that ignited Maori outrage.

Chief Hone Heke, incensed by the British imposing their legal system on his people, saw Maketu’s execution as a stark reminder that Maori sovereignty was eroding.

In protest, Heke’s warriors repeatedly cut down the Union Jack‑flying flagpole at Kororareka, each time the British re‑erected it, only to have it felled again.

The back‑and‑forth battle ended in a stalemate, with neither side achieving a decisive victory, yet the Union Jack lay trampled on the ground, symbolizing Maori resistance.

4 The Massacre Of The Gilfillan Family

Years after the Flagstaff conflict, British sailor H. E. Crozier shot Maori man Hapurona Ngarangi in the face, claiming it was an accident. Although Ngarangi survived thanks to his crew’s medical aid, his tribe demanded retribution.

The British denied the tribe’s request for Crozier’s execution, prompting the Maori to invoke “utu,” the principle of reciprocal vengeance, by targeting the nearest settler family.

They stormed the home of painter John Gilfillan, slaughtering his wife and children while sparing John himself, who fled in terror. The family house was set ablaze, leaving only ash and sorrow.

British authorities captured and executed the responsible Maori, yet the tribe continued to resist, laying siege to the nearby town and igniting yet another round of conflict.

3 The Horrible Death Of Carl Sylvius Volkner

A new religious movement, Pai Marire, blended Christian teachings with Maori spirituality under the leadership of prophet Te Ua Huamene, quickly becoming a thorn in the side of colonial authorities.

When a bitter dispute erupted between Pai Marire adherents and rival Maori groups, German missionary Carl Sylvius Volkner refused to abandon his post, despite warnings that his life was in danger.

Seeing Volkner as a possible spy, the Pai Marire seized him, allowing him a brief moment to kneel and pray before he rose, shook hands with his captors, and declared, “I am ready.”

His captors then beheaded him, carried his severed head into a church, and used it as a macabre pulpit. In a final act of grotesque symbolism, disciple Kereopa Te Rau gouged out Volkner’s eyes and swallowed them before the congregation.

2 The Massacre At Poverty Bay

Not every Maori fought against the British; some, like Te Kooti, initially served alongside colonists, helping suppress rebellions. However, paranoia led the British to imprison him on the Chatham Islands.

After three years of confinement, Kooti escaped, freeing 298 fellow Maori prisoners, commandeering a vessel, and sailing to Poverty Bay.

There, magistrate Reginald Biggs confronted Kooti, demanding the surrender of weapons. Kooti refused, and that night his men stormed Biggs’s home, killing the magistrate, his wife, and their newborn child before rampaging through the town.

The brutal onslaught claimed 51 lives, marking Kooti’s transformation from loyalist to one of the most feared Maori war leaders of the era.

1 Riwha Titokowaru’s Guerilla Army Of Cannibals

Initially a proponent of peace, Riwha Titokowaru turned to savage warfare when negotiations with the British failed, resurrecting ancient Maori combat customs to terrorise the colonists.

His troops would cut out the heart of their first victim and cannibalise subsequent foes, proclaiming, “I have begun to eat the flesh of the white man, like the flesh of a cow cooked in a pot.”

This strategy struck such terror that British forces suffered their most severe defeat ever recorded, with contemporary officers warning that a small, disorganised unit could be sliced and cooked by Titokowaru’s men at any moment.

Eventually, internal discord—namely Titokowaru’s affair with a subordinate’s wife—eroded his followers’ respect, causing his fort to be abandoned and his campaign to collapse.

Although the Maori wars continued into the early twentieth century, the relentless onslaught of leaders like Titokowaru forced the British to endure a prolonged and costly struggle for control of New Zealand.

Welcome to our roundup of the top ten unsolved mysteries that have baffled New Zealand for decades. From grisly murders that remain cold cases to baffling lights that danced across the night sky, each story is a puzzle that still teases investigators and curious minds alike.

Even a modest island nation the size of Colorado seems to have a knack for generating head‑scratching enigmas. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and prepare to be whisked through ten of the most perplexing, eerie, and downright strange events ever recorded on these shores.

10 The Crewe Murders

On a June morning in 1970, Len Demler entered the farmhouse where his daughter Jeanette and son‑in‑law Harvey Crewe lived. The house was silent, but a pool of blood greeted him – an alarming amount, staining the floorboards. Amidst the horror, Demler heard his 18‑month‑old granddaughter crying from her bedroom. He rushed to find the child unharmed, though filthy and hungry, cradled in her cot.

Exactly a month after the gruesome discovery, fishermen pulling nets from the Waikato River uncovered Jeanette’s body, loosely wrapped in a bedspread. Evidence suggested the corpse had once been weighted down, perhaps to conceal it. Weeks later, Harvey’s body emerged farther downstream, tangled in river weeds, confirming the double homicide.

Police quickly zeroed in on a local farmer, Arthur Allan Thomas, who was said to be obsessed with Jeanette. He was convicted and spent nine years behind bars. However, a Royal Commission later uncovered that a crucial spent cartridge linking Thomas to the crime had been planted by two officers, leading to his exoneration and a NZ$950,000 compensation payout.

To this day, no one has been held accountable. The evidence indicates the perpetrator(s) knew the Crewe property intimately, suggesting a local hand. Over half a century later, the killer remains at large, haunting the community.

Why This Is One of the Top Ten Unsolved Cases

9 The Kaikoura UFO Sightings

On the night of 21 December 1979, a Safe Air flight headed south from Wellington reported a strange, luminous object hovering over the coastline. The crew – two pilots and four passengers – all witnessed the eerie glow, which seemed to pulse and shift in colour.

Among those on board was freelance cameraman David Crockett, who instinctively pointed his camera at the phenomenon. The light re‑appeared on the return leg, and, astonishingly, it showed up on the aircraft’s radar at roughly 29 kilometres (18 miles) out. When the pilot angled the plane toward the object, the light retreated, as if evading pursuit.

A week later, a television crew tried to capture the spectacle, recording several luminous orbs for minutes on end. Journalist Quentin Fogarty described the scene: “It started as a pinpoint, then swelled into a massive pulsating globe with orange and red tinges, the size of a house.” Explanations ranged from bright planets to Japanese squid boats, even reflections off cabbage fields, yet none could account for the radar detection.

8 Zuiyo‑Maru Carcass

In April 1977, the Japanese trawler Zuiyo‑Maru, hunting mackerel roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles) off Christchurch, hauled up a massive, foul‑smelling carcass tangled in its nets. The putrid behemoth weighed an estimated 1,800 kilograms (3,950 pounds) and stretched about 10 metres (33 feet) in length.

Crew member Michihiko Yano, trained in biology, quickly sketched the grotesque creature and snapped several photographs. He wisely secured tissue samples before the enormous animal was tossed back overboard, hoping to preserve scientific evidence.

Scientists at Tokyo’s Science Museum examined the remains and unanimously declared the specimen a plesiosaur – a marine reptile thought extinct for 65 million years. Their conclusion sparked worldwide excitement about a living dinosaur.

French researchers later argued the creature was merely a decomposing basking shark, noting the lack of a dorsal fin and the long‑neck appearance could result from advanced decay and predation. Unfortunately, the tissue samples vanished, leaving the sea to keep its secret forever.

7 The Ngatea Mystery Circle

On 4 September 1968, farmer Bert O’Neil stumbled upon an odd, perfectly circular patch of silvery‑white ti‑tree scrub on his Ngatea farm, set against a backdrop of thriving native bush. At the centre of this eerie ring lay three deep V‑shaped depressions, arranged like a triangle.

News of the strange formation spread like wildfire, and within days a thousand curious onlookers descended on the site. Visitors trampled the ground, removed vegetation, and disturbed the delicate markings before university scientists could examine the phenomenon, arriving only five weeks later.

Subsequent reports of similar circles appeared across the island, prompting sensational headlines such as “Is Mars Now Taking a Look at Us?” Authorities offered theories ranging from aerial defoliants to fungal infections, while some suggested the V‑shaped cuts were made by large animals. Calculations indicated that cutting through roots would require roughly 20 tons of pressure, far beyond ordinary wildlife.

The Ngatea circle remains the most famous of the 1970s “mystery circles.” Like the contemporary UFO craze, it eventually faded from headlines, lingering now only in the memories of those who witnessed it.

6 The Nelson Street Ripper

In the early hours of 1914, Frederick Marshall anxiously searched for his missing wife, only to be told by a neighbour that “your missus has been murdered.” He rushed to the police station, where officials confirmed the horror – his wife of two decades, Frances, had been found brutally stabbed and slashed in a narrow alley.

Forensic examination revealed dozens of wounds: a fractured skull, pierced lungs and heart, and a deep cut to the jugular vein, likely inflicted with a pocketknife. No robbery signs appeared; her handbag, containing the equivalent of NZ$40 today, lay untouched. Though her clothing appeared slightly disarranged, her blue hat remained perched on her head.

Sensational newspapers likened the crime to Jack the Ripper, even alleging Frances was killed by a “necrophilo” – a term misused to suggest a morbid fascination with the dead. Some reports claimed she worked as a prostitute that night, a claim Marshall vehemently denied, though he admitted to occasional domestic violence.

The coroner ultimately cleared Frederick of involvement, concluding an unknown assailant was responsible. The case earned the moniker “Nelson Street Ripper” and remains an unsolved chapter of Auckland’s dark history.

5 Moehau Man

Across the globe, legends of towering, hairy hominids abound – from America’s Bigfoot to the Himalayan Yeti. New Zealand contributes its own tale: the Moehau Man, named after the towering peak where early sightings occurred.

To the Māori, the Moehau region is sacred, a place where mythic beings are said to roam. European settlers arriving in the late 1800s began reporting encounters with a massive, hairy, human‑like creature lurking in the dense bush.

Early anecdotes described startled hikers glimpsing a towering figure, while later accounts grew darker, claiming attacks on settlers. In 1983, two hikers near Lake Waikaremoana reported seeing seven such beings, cloaked in what resembled cowhides, each about six feet tall, moving silently along a rocky creek before vanishing.

In 2001, self‑styled Yowie expert Rex Gilroy trekked to the Urewera National Park, claiming to have uncovered large hominid footprints and presenting plaster casts to the media. Despite these tantalizing clues, no definitive proof has emerged, leaving Moehau Man to linger alongside other cryptids as a tantalizing mystery.

4 The Wreck of the Joyita

On 10 November 1955, the modest cargo vessel MV Joyita was found adrift roughly 600 nautical miles off its intended course, its decks eerily empty of crew, passengers, and cargo. The ship had been scheduled to reach Tokelau, a New Zealand dependency, yet never arrived, earning the nickname “the Mary Celeste of the Pacific.”

The vessel had originally carried 16 crew members and nine passengers, including two children. When the wreck was located 38 days after its disappearance, investigators noted that most of the four‑ton cargo – medical supplies, food, and empty oil drums – was missing. Critical navigation tools such as the logbook, sextant, and even all three lifeboats were gone, as were the ship’s firearms.

Disturbingly, the bridge showed signs of violent damage, and a doctor’s bag lay open on deck, its bandages stained with blood. Yet the Joyita still held ample fuel, and its cork‑lined hull, combined with the 80 empty oil drums, rendered it practically unsinkable.

Speculation ranged from a sudden flood forcing abandonment, to piracy, or even insurance fraud. After being salvaged and repaired, the Joyita returned to service, only to later run aground on a reef, after which it was stripped and dismantled. The fate of those aboard remains a haunting enigma.

3 The Missing Dragonfly

Nearly six decades after a scenic flight vanished between Christchurch and Milford Sound, dedicated search teams continue to scour the rugged South Island for clues. On 12 February 1962, pilot Brian Chadwick piloted a light aircraft dubbed the Dragonfly, carrying five passengers on a breathtaking journey.

When the plane failed to return, authorities launched one of New Zealand’s most exhaustive aerial searches, combing mountains, valleys, and forests. Yet the aircraft never resurfaced. Decades later, searcher Bobby Reeve uncovered a lone women’s boot in a remote, snow‑capped region, suggesting the wreck may have plunged onto permanent snow at roughly 8,000 feet.

Reeve urges the mountaineering community to aid the ongoing effort, warning of the treacherous terrain that has already claimed the lives of his own sons. The mystery endures, with each new lead rekindling hope that the Dragonfly’s final resting place might finally be uncovered.

2 Mysterious Moas

Although the great flightless birds known as moas were hunted to extinction by the early 1400s, whispers persist of their survival in hidden valleys. New Zealand once hosted nine moa species, the tallest reaching 3.6 metres (12 feet) and weighing up to 230 kilograms (510 pounds).

In January 1993, West Coast publican and mountaineer Paddy Freaney claimed to have tangled with a moa in the remote Cragieburn Valley. While authorities dismissed the account, the story sparked a media frenzy, fueling speculation that pockets of these ancient birds might still roam unseen.

Beyond moas, other exotic creatures—otters, panthers, even moose—have been reported in New Zealand’s secluded regions, adding layers to the nation’s tapestry of cryptic wildlife sightings.

1 The Mystery of the Invercargill Pool Pooper

From 2015 onward, the public swimming complex at Invercargill’s Splash Palace endured a bizarre series of incidents dubbed the “brown bomber” saga. Six consecutive Fridays saw the pools mysteriously contaminated with brown waste, prompting emergency evacuations each time.

Investigators scoured surveillance footage, only to find the cameras insufficiently sharp to capture the perpetrator’s face. The most extreme episode forced a full shutdown after all three pools were found littered with the unsavory material within a three‑hour window.

Mayor Tim Shadbolt lamented the unwanted global attention, noting that “Phantom pooper in the pool isn’t the sort of headline you want.” Despite extensive inquiries, the identity of the rogue depositor remains unknown, cementing the case as a truly odd chapter in New Zealand’s public‑facility history.

Conclusion

These ten tales illustrate how New Zealand, despite its modest size, is a hotbed for baffling, unsolved mysteries. Whether it’s a cold‑case murder, a spectral light, or a mischievous pool pooper, each story invites us to wonder what lies just beyond the edge of our understanding.

New Zealand. Aotearoa. The Land Down Under. Land of the Long White Cloud. Home to hobbits, the All Blacks rugby team, where good coffee is easy to find, and the wine isn’t half bad either. This roundup of ten odd news brings you the quirkiest headlines the Kiwi islands have ever produced.

Ten Odd News Roundup

10 Shrek The Sheep

Shrek the sheep vaulted into global fame back in 2004 thanks to his massive wool coat. He managed to dodge shearers for six years, nesting in caves amid the rugged foothills of Central Otago on the South Island. Merino sheep typically get shorn each year, so when Shrek was finally caught his fleece was truly colossal. “He looked like some biblical creature,” said his owner, John Perriam, of Bendigo Hill station.

His fleece tipped the scales at roughly 27 kilograms (60 pounds), enough wool to tailor suits for twenty large men. Shrek was instantly crowned a national celebrity and was shorn live on television. The fleece was auctioned to raise money for children’s medical charities. Josie Spillane of Cure Kids reported that over the years Shrek helped raise more than NZ$ 150,000 (US$ 104,400) for the charity, which funds research into life‑threatening childhood illnesses.

Shrek passed away in 2011 at the age of sixteen, which is a respectable lifespan for a Merino.

9 Blow On The Pie

Dubbed the food‑safety tip that reverberated worldwide, police dog handler Guy Baldwin went viral in 2009 for delivering a quirky culinary warning to a suspected car thief. The clip was filmed in the early hours for the reality crime series Police Ten 7. Baldwin stopped a teenager who claimed he was out at 3 am because he was hungry and intended to buy a hot pie from a nearby service station.

With dead‑pan seriousness, Baldwin asked the bewildered teen, “It’s three o’clock in the morning, and you’re buying a pie from the BP station. What must you always do?” The teen had no answer. Baldwin replied, “That pie has been in the warming drawer for probably about 12 hours; it’ll be thermonuclear. You must always blow on the pie… Always blow on the pie, safer communities together, okay.”

You heard it here, folks. Always blow on the pie.

8 Road Flock

This story blends sheep and police in a spectacularly odd way. In 2016, four people driving a stolen Honda Integra led police on a 90‑minute chase through Shrek the sheep’s neighbourhood in Central Otago. Earlier attempts to halt the car with road spikes failed, and it was a herd of about 150 sheep being driven down the road that finally forced the vehicle to stop.

Fortunately, neither the sheep nor the farm dogs were injured as the car halted without even trying to plow through the flock. A farm worker was moving the herd, seemingly unfazed by the drama unfolding behind him while two men and two juveniles were taken into custody.

It later emerged that the flock belonged to a Queenstown police officer. “I don’t know if the local officer trained the sheep or not, but they sure did a good job in stopping that car,” a journalist on the scene remarked.

7 Thomas The Blind Bisexual Goose

In 2018, a blind, bisexual goose named Thomas was commemorated and laid to rest beside his swan partner of nearly two decades. A plaque memorialized their love story with the verses:

“Here lies Thomas, the great‑hearted goose,
Nestled near Henry, in their final roost.
Here where they raised young and found sanctuary,
Somewhere above us, great souls fly free.”

The tale spanned species and genders. Thomas and Henry the swan spent 18 years together before a third swan, Henrietta, joined them. The trio raised 68 cygnets before Henry died in 2009. Henrietta then left with another swan, leaving Thomas “heartbroken and crying for his friend.”

Thomas later fathered ten goslings, which were stolen by another goose named George, who raised them as his own—earning Thomas the reputation of a victim of avian betrayal. After losing his sight, Thomas was re‑homed to a bird sanctuary, where he spent his final years munching corn and helping raise orphaned baby swans. A staff member described him as “a gentleman; he was kind to every other bird he bumped into, literally.” When the plaque was unveiled, local Waikanae resident Mik Peryer said, “this is the end, the love story is over.” He added that the story resonated because Thomas was gay.

6 Dug The Faux Spud

When Hamilton couple Colin and Donna Craig‑Brown uncovered a colossal tuber in their vegetable patch weighing an astonishing 7.9 kilograms (17 pounds), they were convinced it would shatter the Guinness World Record for the heaviest potato.

Nicknamed “Dug the Spud,” the specimen was more than 2.8 kilograms (6 pounds) heavier than the standing record set in England in 2011. After seven months and a genetic test, the couple received disheartening news: “Sadly, the specimen is not a potato and is, in fact, the tuber of a type of gourd. For this reason we unfortunately have to disqualify the application,” a Guinness representative explained.

It turned out Dug was a gourd‑type tuber, a swollen underground stem rather than a true potato. The DNA test confirmed its identity. Colin reflected, “It looked like a tater, it tasted like a tater, it grew like a tater. So I figured it’s a tater.” Dug now resides in the couple’s freezer. “I say g’day to him every time I pull out some sausages. He’s a cool character,” Colin added.

5 The World’s Loneliest Tree

A solitary Sitka spruce stands on New Zealand’s windswept, inhospitable sub‑Antarctic Campbell Island, far from any other tree. The spruce, native to the northern hemisphere, finds itself more than 247 kilometers (170 miles) away from its nearest neighbour on the Auckland Islands, earning the title of the world’s loneliest tree.

Unlike Dug the “pretender” spud, this modest‑looking tree holds an official world‑record because of its isolation. Previously, the record belonged to the Tree of Ténéré, a famed acacia in Niger’s Sahara Desert, which was about 402 kilometers (250 miles) from any other tree until it was allegedly felled by a drunk Libyan truck driver in 1973.

The 9‑meter‑tall (30‑foot), roughly 100‑year‑old spruce is thought to have been planted around the turn of the 20th century by New Zealand’s then‑governor, Lord Ranfurly, during a bird‑collecting expedition for the British Museum. He likely hoped to turn the island into a productive forestry site.

Harsh climate and physical damage have trapped the spruce in a juvenile state, preventing it from producing pinecones and seeds, so it will probably remain a lone sentinel at the world’s southern edge.

4 Zoologist Shagged By World’s Rarest Parrot

The kakapo, a large, nocturnal, flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand, is critically endangered. In the mid‑1990s the species hovered near extinction with only about 50 individuals remaining. Thanks to intensive conservation, by June 2020 a total of 210 birds were known, all equipped with radio transmitters and under close management.

The most famous kakapo is a young male named Sirocco, who skyrocketed to fame in 2009 after an X‑rated encounter with zoologist Mark Carwardine during the BBC documentary series Last Chance to See. While filming with comedian Stephen Fry, Sirocco energetically attempted to mate with Carwardine’s head, prompting Fry to quip that they were witnessing someone being “shagged by a rare parrot.”

Hand‑raised due to respiratory issues, Sirocco imprinted on humans and seemed to shun mating with his own species. The bold encounter was just one of many. Former Prime Minister John Key dubbed him the nation’s “official spokesbird for conservation.” Since then Sirocco has toured the country, visited Parliament, and promotes wildlife conservation through his official Twitter and Facebook accounts.

3 Spaghetti Vandalism On Mount Victoria

In March 2018, a group of jogging students stumbled upon a bizarre sight at Wellington’s Mt. Victoria lookout—a massive dump of freshly cooked pasta.

Students Jack Anderson, Elleana Dumper (ironically named), Tobias Leman, and Flynn Beeman were out for an early‑morning run when they discovered the noodles piled atop Summit Rock, just before 9 am. Wellington City Council confirmed they had received numerous reports about the mysterious pasta vandalism.

“Our contact centre logged the incident after it left a bad taste in our mouths, and the cleaning crew was dispatched to deal with spaghetti junction,” a council spokeswoman said. “Public health advised against anyone eating spaghetti on the rocks.” Local park rangers noted the incident was a welcome change from the usual dumping of cars, TVs, and fridges they normally clean up. The source of the pasta—sauce??—remains a mystery.

2 Pole‑Dancing Prostitutes Destroy Street Signs

In 2012, Auckland’s largest city saw accusations that prostitutes were destroying street signs by dancing and swinging from roadside poles to attract clients.

Local resident Donna Lee explained the practice, saying, “The poles are part of their soliciting equipment, and they often snap them. Some of the prostitutes are big, strong people.” She claimed more than 40 signs had been bent or broken over an 18‑month period.

Mayor Len Brown remarked, “There is no doubt that the street sex trade is enjoying its unrestricted use of public space and is possibly the only industry in New Zealand to enjoy such status.” He noted other industries must obtain licences, while street prostitution faces no such constraints.

Residents hoped the attention would pressure the government to let Auckland Council outlaw sex workers from certain areas. A spokesperson for the Prostitutes Collective warned that banning them would be counter‑productive: “They’ll be fined, can’t pay, go to court, then return to the streets to work off the fines—it will clog up our justice system.”

1 Bess The Boar

Also in 2018, emergency services in the Waikato town of Waihi used KFC fries and warm bread rolls to corral a massive pig that had gone rogue.

The hefty hog, estimated at about 150 kilograms (331 pounds), trotted down the main street while police gave chase. Constable Harley North recounted, “We got into a pursuit with a pig.” He could not determine how the animal escaped, suspecting it might have been a pet that broke free.

Using tasty bribes, officers eventually herded the pig into a makeshift pen at a local church. “The pig was left to contemplate its sinful behaviour,” North said. Later, a “tall, dark stranger” escorted the pig, identified as a brazen boar named Bess. A week later Bess escaped again, was found munching an orange tree, and was coaxed back home by an embarrassed owner with a bucket of treats.

Police considered fitting Bess with an ankle bracelet and imposing a strict curfew after the incident.