All creatures great and small

Kaitaia veterinarian Fiona Sucich knows a well cared for pet when she sees one, and she saw plenty at Ahipara School last week.

She was the judge for the school's pet parade, part of a hugely successful inaugural A&P day that had a very rural Far North flavour.

The star of the four-legged show was undoubtedly Popcorn, a three-year-old kunekune that has been a much loved pet in Manaaki, Waiata and Te Rehua Harrison's home since she was a piglet, but there was some tough competition from cats, rabbits, lambs, a calf, guinea pigs, dogs, a goat and even a possum.

In the afternoon attention moved indoors, where the pupils had prepared a stunning array of exhibits, which were admired by all and judged by experts. Those results will be published on Tuesday, but the pet results were as follows.

Dogs: Jayden Mealings (Lutchie) 1, Victor Astill (Yogi) 2, Courtney and Blake Hammond (Larry) and Poppy Leef (Peaches) 3 equal.

Cats: Danyelle Mealings (Cactus) 1, Hinetai Punshon (Dusty) 2, Teina-Marie Samuels (Phoenix) and Anika Jellick (Mush-Mush) 3 equal.

Guinea pigs: Chance Neho (Pinky) 1, Aaliya Turei (Taz) 2.

Lambs: Dylan Craig (Ebony) 1, Sam Craig (Little Girl) 2, Chase Jones (Sam the Lamb) 3.

Goats: Mikaira Murray (Mayo) 1.

Kunekune: Manaaki, Waiata and Te Rehua Harrison (Popcorn) 1.

Rabbits: Ryan Haywood (Starskie) 1, Dillon and James Merlo (Cadbury) 2.

Calves: Danni Masters (Duffy) 1.

Possums: Chase Jones (Coconut Head) 1.

Fish: Harmony-Breeze (Fifi) 1, Vjekoslav Lamb 2, Robbie and Brodie Dawson (Flappy and Fishy) 3.

Supreme champion: Popcorn. Reserve champion: Mayo.

Stuffed toys: Nevaeh Martin (monkey) 1, Quinn Reed (elephant) 2, Cypress Lewis (Big Ted) 3, Laquarn Enright (Big Dog) highly commended.

Pet photos: Blake, Jamie and Brody Cranch (Pipi) 1, Rylee Brown (Roxy) 2, Nehemaia Brown (Tiger) 3, Amber Wheelan (Riker) highly commended.