WHAKATĀ

Kia pai tō rā whakatā,

Every week we get to know beloved pets in these pages through photos sent in by our readers. However, I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve featured friendly Hector’s dolphins. Fluffy and Pearl aren’t your average animal companions. They live in the wild but have become so well known to West Coaster 7-year-old Aru that she’s named them and regularly swims with them near her home in remote Hannah’s Clearing. Joanne Naish spoke to Aru’s mother Ruth Allanson and got a fascinating glimpse of what life is like when the supermarket is a six-hour return trip away, including what item you regret the most when you leave it off the shopping list. It does make you rethink what you actually need to live well.

To help with your Christmas shopping, check out our gift guide with handy suggestions of thoughtful gifts made right here in Aotearoa. There’s something for the whole family. The Svord Poly foldable pocket knife made in Waiuku would surely come in handy in the forests of the West Coast, and many other places as well.