Eva De Jong is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news.
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Rural students urged to pursue a career in healthcare to help plug workforce gaps
“Relying on overseas doctors to fill our rural workforce gaps is not sustainable."
Spike in dangerous virus for dogs prompts warning
'I can't stress enough that once your dog has signs, you're too late.'
‘They’re flighty animals’: Why microchipping horses is becoming more common
'They’re flighty animals and, if something goes wrong, they can go quite far.'
'Never seen anything like it’: Waverley man loses 28 sheep in dog attacks
'The dogs in Waverley are out of control.'
Rural equine vets under pressure
'It can be anything from a tiny little scratch to the leg almost falling off.'
80% of Whanganui schools serve breakfast to students
'If you’re not fed or nourished, you can’t learn.'
Multiple animal carcasses discovered on Whanganui beach
Discharging a carcass into or near a waterway can lead to fines of up to $750.
Five potholes in recently-repaired road: Motorist fuming after car damaged on state highway
'I instantly felt my car hit about four to five potholes really hard.'
A few beers later and four mates own a crayfish boat
'It’s all good, I just haven’t told my wife yet.'
Whanganui grower earns national award for his roses
The roses Bob Matthews creates have to possess the 'wow factor'.
Excavator competition aims to inspire new blood
'If you take your mind off it, you’ll make a mistake.'
'Freak accident': Cause of large scrub fire revealed
The wind and the dry grass meant the fire moved rapidly up the steep hill.
Strawberry harvest a 'balancing act' for iwi-led business
"We see ourselves as a multi generational investor here in our tribal rohe."
Hunterville woollen brand takes out top spot at Rural Women Business Awards
The wool from this couple's Papanui Estate farm is turned into designer bags.
Red the dog and her shepherd win sixth Hunterville Shemozzle
This year's Shepherds' Shemozzle involved eating a boiled sheep's tongue.
A horse with cool shades
“He thinks he’s pretty cool with his sunglasses on, he kind of struts out.”
'It's going to be huge': 25 years for iconic Hunterville Huntaway Festival
The race in which shepherds eat disgusting things has hit a milestone.
Wool a winning ticket for Hunterville designer brand Honest Wolf
“It is such a premium product and the price doesn’t reflect that."
A real stayer: Wanganui Jockey Club celebrates 175 years of racing
“It’s still hard going because racing is a tough game.”
'Farmers have to front up': Protecting waterways a costly exercise
“That’s why this work to try to hold the soil on the ground is so important."
Wilsons Hunting’s Ken Wilson giving up the game
"They can come to Wilsons and get quality abuse, is what I tell them."
'There's a lot more involved': New Marton vet clinic as population grows
"People will do a lot more work on sick animals."
'It was a really good day': The Hoff greets fans in Taihape
Between 50 and 100 people flocked to the filming location to meet the Baywatch star.
'Gardening is not like putting wallpaper up': Gordon Collier on crafting a successful garden
The 88-year-old Taihape garden designer has some tips for first-time growers.
Labour of love brings nature back to life
“No one understood why I was buying something I couldn’t make money from.”
Bremworth Whanganui putting wool carpets into rural schools
"We thought 'this is madness'."
Horizons aims to give public a stronger voice
“These are really big, gnarly issues that are confronting us."
Whitebaiting season set to begin
“Most people get them to make themselves a few fritters.”
Less spend from farmers due to low milk price
“If farmers don’t have the income they won’t spend money."
Low price of wool a headache for farmers
"Farmers are very much looking at changing to breeds that grow less wool."
Bremworth’s Whanganui plant getting 'bigger and better'
A dozen jobs are on offer at wool carpet-maker Bremworth's Whanganui plant.
All plastic bags to disappear from Whanganui shops
"They still actually come in and ask for the plastic bags."
Working to better the community earns Brian Doughty a Queen's Service Medal
'You don't think about why you're doing this stuff, you just do it, it's good fun.'
'Severe' staffing shortages for rural healthcare providers
'We’re in a pretty desperate state.'
Kinder surprise: Pet chicken goes under knife in unusual $2500 surgery
“People obviously think this is ridiculous when you tell them it’s a drumstick."
Cyclone Gabrielle damage forces change in direction for Bremworth
Bremworth is looking to overseas markets to help it recover from production losses.
'Very, very expensive': Dental care woes for rural residents
A lack of dentists is making dental care less of a priority for some rural residents.
Whanganui farmers catching a break
"It means we’re coming together and feeling proud to be farmers."