It is so great to return to Whangarei, New Zealand! We are back in our old stomping grounds, surrounded by wonderful friends in familiar grounds.
During our first few weeks we take the time to visit a variety of farm animals at our friend’s house.
Not sure my friend’s would call these “farm” animals but rather pets. I will let you decide.
Sharron’s Sheep Sheering
Sharron has grown up around sheep her entire life. She had a rather large flock a few months ago but ended up giving away her ram and 3 ewes. Now she has one mother ewe, a young 1 year old ewe and two lambs.
The adorable lambs were about 6 weeks old when I visited.
Today, the two “older” ewes were getting a hair cut. The two shearers had a fun time trying to capture the rambunctious ewes. But once they were placed on their back they settled and became super docile! Strange to watch their transformation.
The shearers start on the older ewe who has been to the salon many times before. The younger ewe just sits and patiently waits.
Before and after her haircut. Unfortunately, the wool is no longer worth anything here in NZ. Too many sheep and too much wool. Back in the day the wool was worth a lot of money and then over the years it slowly declined.
But at least the sheep are more comfortable in the warmer climates.
It was so much fun for me to see the sheep sheering. I know it is super run of the mill for Sharron and the shearers, but for me it was a great life experience.
The Greystone Farm
Our friend Rob who owns RH Precision and has done a lot of work for Sugar Shack, invited us to his farm and home. It is a short 30 minute drive from Whangarei but it feels like it is so much further away.
There are sweeping, green hillsides, lots of farms, and beautiful ocean views. Rob and his wife Hannah have a gorgeous octagon type house that has 2 levels and multiple bedrooms. Simply gorgeous.
Hannah is a lover of everything animal! She has a wide variety of farm animals (pets) all over the ranch. Starting at the house she takes care of 2 fish tanks with incredibly unusual fish.
They have a beautiful rottweiler, a German shepherd, 5 guinea pigs and an EMU! Yep, you read that right. They have an emu named Wallace whom I got to hand feed.
Wallace used to have a mate but she passed away. Not he is happily enjoying his large enclosure to himself.
Evidently, when one mate dies, the other typically dies shortly after. But not Wallace.
Rob and Hannah also have 3 feisty donkeys and a retired race horse. All of them incredibly friendly and eager to meet the city girl.
True Farm Animals
Then came the “beef cows.” Yes, all cows are beef. But in NZ you name the cow beef cows when they are raised for slaughter (beef) or milk cows or breeding cows.
They had 5 young cows (a few months old) that were fighting for the food dish. It was super funny watching them push each other around to get to the food. Politely rude I called it. I love these farm animals.
My favorite photos are the bottom two right where the one left out cow pokes his head around the others.
Being a true “city girl” it was great fun to hang out with so many fabulous animals. I feel so blessed to have met generous friends who share their variety of pets with me.
We were in Whangarei at Sharron and Rob’s house toward the beginning of November 2025.
Our blog posts run 4-6 weeks behind actual live events.
Did you read about our lovely stay at Whangarei, Town Basin Marina – check out the blog post.
