Gisborne Herald
  • Gisborne Herald Home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport

Locations

  • Gisborne
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Hawke's Bay

Media

  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Gisborne

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Gisborne Herald

Injured Gisborne SPCA rescue kitten Xuko spending Christmas with new forever family

Anne-Marie de Bruin
Multimedia Journalist·Gisborne Herald·
23 Dec, 2025 01:00 AM2 mins to read
‌

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save
    Share this article
Injured cat Gusta from the SPCA has been renamed Xuko and has a new home where he's doing well.

Injured cat Gusta from the SPCA has been renamed Xuko and has a new home where he's doing well.

Xuko, in his new home, now shows few signs of the shocking injuries he suffered only a couple of months ago.

The now 8-month-old injured SPCA kitten, formerly known as Gusta, survived injuries thought to have been caused by moving machinery on a rural property in Patutahi.

He has been renamed Xuko and has a new home where he’s thriving.

Gisborne SPCA centre manager Kayla Newman earlier said the cat had been found stray and injured.

Xuko survived his injuries and is thriving in his new home, where he is adored.
Xuko survived his injuries and is thriving in his new home, where he is adored.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

A family - AJ, Luke (AJ’s partner) and Otis (her son)- have welcomed Xuko to their home.

“He’s doing incredibly well now and has really settled into his role in the house, which took some time as he came to us hurt and badly burned. He’s full of mischief (our Christmas tree has definitely become his favourite target) and is such a joy to watch when he’s in a playful mood, bursting with energy,” AJ said.

The cat’s journey to recovery was going well, she said.

“There’s still a little healing to go, just a small strip down his spine that needs to heal over, but he’s looking amazing and so healthy, and his hair is growing back beautifully.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Xuko’s arrival came around the time their beloved previous cat had died.

“His profile came up on Facebook the same week we lost our beloved soul cat, Louie, and it felt like divine timing. We went ahead and visited the SPCA soon after,” AJ said.

They were very happy and enjoyed spending time with Xuko.

“We especially treasure those sleepy moments when we can curl up and snuggle with him in a warm spot.”

Xuko’s arrival came around the time his new family's beloved previous cat had died.
Xuko’s arrival came around the time his new family's beloved previous cat had died.

Back in October, the SPCA’s Newman remarked on the cat’s spirits being high, despite his ordeal.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“He really is a happy cat and very loving,” she said.

Xuko may have found his new home, but there are still other animals waiting for a new home at the Gisborne SPCA over the Christmas period.

More information is available by phoning (06) 8679463.

Save
    Share this article

Latest from Gisborne Herald

Premium
Gisborne Herald

'Heartbreaking': Hot pools tragedy – mother dies in mystery circumstances after night caper at once-famous fun park

09 May 08:40 AM
Gisborne Herald

Port workers fired after refusing to work with colleague they deemed unsafe

09 May 05:00 AM
Premium
Gisborne Herald

‘You haven’t even clocked my issue’: One in three Gisborne youths report psychological distress

08 May 06:00 PM

Sponsored

Future of wealth in NZ: A conversation with ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt

03 May 11:20 PM
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Gisborne Herald

Premium
Premium
'Heartbreaking': Hot pools tragedy – mother dies in mystery circumstances after night caper at once-famous fun park
Gisborne Herald

'Heartbreaking': Hot pools tragedy – mother dies in mystery circumstances after night caper at once-famous fun park

A sister's quest for answers after a 41yo left alone – police investigating for coroner.

09 May 08:40 AM
Port workers fired after refusing to work with colleague they deemed unsafe
Gisborne Herald

Port workers fired after refusing to work with colleague they deemed unsafe

09 May 05:00 AM
Premium
Premium
‘You haven’t even clocked my issue’: One in three Gisborne youths report psychological distress
Gisborne Herald

‘You haven’t even clocked my issue’: One in three Gisborne youths report psychological distress

08 May 06:00 PM


Future of wealth in NZ: A conversation with ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt
Sponsored

Future of wealth in NZ: A conversation with ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt

03 May 11:20 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Gisborne Herald
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Gisborne Herald
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • NZME Events
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • NZME Digital Performance Marketing
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2026 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP