Missing dog Rimu found safe days after Whananaki yacht capsize, still wearing her lifejacket

A missing dog has been found safe four days after a dramatic yacht capsize off Whananaki, Northland.

Rimu, a curly-coated retriever, was still wearing her bright orange lifejacket when she was spotted emerging from the bushes at Cabbage Tree Bay, Matapouri, on Saturday by a group of spear fishers.

Georgia Farmer, who was visiting the bay with her children, said one of the spear fishers initially saw Rimu but she was too frightened to approach.

Rimu emerged from the bushes at Cabbage Tree Bay wearing her bright orange lifejacket, four days after going missing at sea. Photo / Georgia Farmer

“Rimu came out of the bushes, a bit scared at first. One of the spear fishermen whistled to her, but she didn’t want to come over. I ended up using my kids’ lunchbox to coax her with food and water, and she finally came to me,” she said.

“She was growling at us and didn’t want to come too close, which was fair enough. She would have been really scared.

“It was pretty obvious she was the missing dog from the yacht,” Farmer said.

“Her curly coat and the orange lifejacket made that clear.”

Despite being lost for several days, Farmer said the dog looked “really skinny, but otherwise well”.

“She had a few cuts on her paws, probably from scrambling on rocks, but considering what she’d been through, she looked good.”

After Rimu relaxed, Farmer was able to pet her and clip her to a rope to prevent her running off.

Rimu shared a joyful reunion with her owner, Mark, after being found safe following the yacht capsize. Photo / Georgia Farmer

Someone who knew the owner then helped transport Rimu to Whale Bay carpark, where she was reunited with her owner.

“She got a boost of energy when she saw him. She was just so happy. It was really nice to be able to help her and see her reunited with her owner,” Farmer said.

The yacht capsized in rough seas at around 5.10pm on December 30 after reportedly striking Elizabeth Reef.

Before emergency services arrived, a man in a small runabout crossed the open ocean to rescue the skipper.

Rimu appeared skinny but otherwise in good health, with only a few minor cuts on her paws, after being lost at sea for four days. Photo / Georgia Farmer

Paul Baragwanath, a witness from nearby accommodation, described the man who helped rescue the yacht skipper as “a real hero”, navigating the treacherous waters in a small runabout before emergency services arrived.

Police confirmed a dog had been on board and remained missing after the skipper was safely brought to shore.

Farmer said she felt grateful to have been able to help.

“It was a really nice experience. I’m just glad it all worked out.”

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.