Kiwi animals that have made headlines around the world

Inky the octopus has won international fame after his stealthy escape. Photo / Facebook.

There's nothing we love more than a cute animal story.

Earlier in the week Inky the Octopus made headlines around the world when it broke out of its tank at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier, slithered across the floor, squeezed down a 50-metre drainpipe and disappeared into the sea.

But Inky's not the only Kiwi animal who has made headlines around the world.

The kea that stole a passport

The Kea has been dubbed the most intelligent and cheekiest bird in the world. They have a notorious urge to investigate caps, boots, skis, snowboards, and cars.

A kea attacks a car. Photo / Stewart Baird

Back in 2009, a Kea even pinched a Scottish man's passport while he was tramping in Milford Sound.

The world's most famous sheep

More than 1.1 million Kiwis tuned in to watch the sheering of Shrek live. Photo / Getty.

Shrek came became a national celebrity in 2004 after evading shearing for six years by hiding in caves on the South Island. His shearing was then broadcast live on television, and 1.1 million Kiwis tuned in.

Shrek even met former Prime Minister Helen Clark. Photo / Getty

Shrek went on to live a glamorous life that included TV shows, national tours, his own barn and a personal carer; he even made it into the pages of Playboy magazine. The country mourned in 2009 when he died as one of our biggest stars.

The time we taught dogs how to drive

In 2012, The SPCA aught rescued dogs how to drive, in an effort to prove how intelligent the animals could be. The trio of rescue dogs from the Auckland SPCA successfully put their paws on the wheel position and drove a Mini Countryman on a race track in Auckland live on national television.

Motorcycling cat raises money for SPCA

Rastus the motorcycle-riding cat cruised the highways of NZ in the 1990s.

In the 1990s, Rastus the cat captivated the country and raised money for the SPCA as he cruised the highway perched on Max Corkill's motorbike. He even had his own custom-made goggles and helmet, worn with a red bandanna!

Rastus and Max were killed in a head-on collision in 1998 and were mourned by bikers and cat lovers throughout New Zealand.

Law fighting sheep

Four Kiwi criminals led police on a high-speed chase through the valleys of central Otago.

What the flock! A flock of sheep stopped these criminals in their tracks. Photo / James Allan

They were brought to a halt by a flock of sheep on the road. Luckily no sheep were harmed in the line of duty! Read the full story.

Legendary dolphin guides boats through Cook Cook Strait

A postcard showing Pelorus Jack.

When Pelorus Jack the dolphin was first seen in 1888 members of the crew wanted to kill him. Luckily the captain's wife was able to talk them out of it. To their amazement, the dolphin then proceeded to guide the ship through the narrow channel. And for years after, he safely guided almost every ship that came by through the dangerous stretch of water in the Cook Strait.

Moko the dolphin saves the day

Two beached whales were in distress at Mahia. Rescuers had tried to push them back to sea, but it looked like they would have to be put down. In an incident that amazed conservationists, Moko the dolphin - apparently responded to the whales' distress calls and led them back to safety.

Moko was found dead in 2009.

Burma escapes Auckland Zoo

Burma the elephant enjoyed a brief taste of freedom back in 2004 after dropping a large log in her enclosure onto an electric fence.

Burma the elephant escaped Auckland Zoo in 2004.

She gained access to the park outside the zoo and spent half an hour there before zoo keepers guided her back to her enclosure. Read the full story.