A dog that went missing when a yacht capsized off Whananaki four days ago has been found safe after washing up at a nearby Northland bay still wearing her life jacket.
Rimu, a curly-coated retriever, was spotted emerging from bushes at Cabbage Tree Bay in Matapouri on Saturday by a group of spearfishers, four days after the December 30 capsizing near Elizabeth Reef.
Georgia Farmer, who was at the bay with her children, told 1News one of the spearfishers initially saw the dog but she was frightened and wouldn't approach.
"I had my kid's lunch box with me so I was able to get close to her and give her the food out of it and fill it with water. The spearos gave her some fish roe from the fish they caught," she said.
"After this she felt a bit more comfortable coming to me and she let me pet her and get her clipped to a rope so she wouldn't run off."
The yacht capsized in rough seas around 5:10pm on December 30 after reportedly striking Elizabeth Reef. A man in a small runabout crossed the open ocean to rescue the skipper before emergency services arrived, with witnesses describing him as "a real hero".
Police had confirmed a dog was onboard and remained missing after the skipper was brought safely to shore and assessed by ambulance staff.
After securing Rimu, Farmer posted on social media and someone who knew the owner was able to help transport the dog to Whale Bay car park.
"He was so happy to see her and Rimu got a boost of energy and couldn't contain her excitement as soon as she saw him," Farmer said.
"It was a beautiful reunion and great that community rallied together to get Rimu back with her owner."
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