Eva De Jong is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
!['Freak accident': Cause of large scrub fire revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Bremworth Whanganui putting wool carpets into rural schools
"We thought 'this is madness'."
![Horizons aims to give public a stronger voice](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Horizons aims to give public a stronger voice
“These are really big, gnarly issues that are confronting us."
![Whitebaiting season set to begin](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whitebaiting season set to begin
“Most people get them to make themselves a few fritters.”
![Less spend from farmers due to low milk price](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui farmers catching a break
"It means we’re coming together and feeling proud to be farmers."