Te Anau Community Events - 'Ginge' the cat & his around town adventures

Shared by Central & Western Murihiku Southland Archive

Te Anau Community Events - 'Ginge' the cat & his around town adventures. 'Ginge' the cat, a beautiful ginger boy from Te Anau in Fiordland or Te Rua-o-Te-Moko, has gained a certain amount of fame by his fabulous feline visits to all and sundry around the quaint Lakeside town of Te Anau, whether that be dropping in on community groups & businesses, delighting tourists, cosying up to locals or just wandering around the township or lakeside on adventures... Ginge is out and about so much that we are having to expand our entries on him and make new ones! To view Ginge's adventurous antics for January 2024, you can see these on CWA.045.088.002 and his February 2024 ones are now being recorded on entry CWA.045.088.003. The one below, is now being re-drafted to emcompass only Ginge's 2023 town wanderings. We think that Ginge has the gift of the gab when it comes to selecting his visiting spots and we would like to give the community services & businesses Ginge visits, the "Ginge tick of approval" as fabulous feline friendly places that you would want to visit yourself and partake of their products/services. One local has termed Ginge the town Ambassador Extraordinaire. Well said. So remember, that the following businesses and services from around the Te Anau Township, have been given 'Ginge's' Tick of Approval. Check them out! Images are shared here with permission from locals and tourists alike, Ginge has fast become a mascot and pet lovers attraction for Te Anau township. If you would like to be on Ginge's list of lovely places to visit, contact us with a photo of Ginge on your premises or with your management or your staff. We are also willing to post public open space pictures of Ginge if sent to us. If you wish to see who donated which images, please see end of info under here, for a list of no photo donors. See Ginge's Community Archive Cat-a-log for his adventures below. NOTE: This entry is being re-drafted as Ginge's earlier 2023 visits: Wednesday 31 January - today Ginge became instantly famous, with 'Stuff', the well-known, online Aotearoa NZ news agency, carrying an article about his fabulous feline exploits around Te Anau. This set off a chain of events with other lifestyle and pet friendly publications all wanting a piece of Ginge pie... All the while Ginge is just happy to win friends & influence people! To read Ginge's story on stuff, also featuring this Community Archive, see: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350162633/town-tom-local-celebrity Tuesday 30 January - Ginge is really getting the groove on with his evening exercise and night time sports routine... Tonight he decided to join in with playing social bowls, by lying on the green in everyone's way. Maybe that is his cue for his followers to stop playing with balls and play with him instead! The Te Anau green has certainly got Ginge's 'tick of approval' for feline friendly fun! If you too would like to join Ginge for a game, you can go to: Te Anau Bowling Club, 26 Luxmore Drive, Te Anau 9600, ph: 03-249 7369 Monday 29 January - this evening Ginge decided to get in a spot of Tennis down at the Courts. All that walking around the place just wasn't quite doing it for the exercise regime, and ball skills are always useful. To play tennis with Ginge, or other humans, you can contact the Te Anau Tennis Club as below: 20-22 Luxmore Dr, Te Anau, teanautennis@gmail.com or ph: 027 4414443 Sunday 28 January - poor Ginge was feeling a bit neglected today, none of his adoring fans were around to a hail Ginge the King Cat of Te Anau. He had gone on a wander to find his royal entourage at 3.20 this afternoon. But all Ginge could do was find a shady place to have a rest and a wash after checking out Mexican Tastz, where he was a bit early to the party. Sadly no one was there to entertain him! If you want to check out Mexican Tastz now Ginge has given it his tick of approval as an awesome cat friendly place to visit (when they are open!), you can find them as per the below details: 106 Town Centre, Te Anau 9600, Delivery: 4 pm–9 pm, or ph 0800 806 033. Earlier on in his rounds of the town, Ginge popped by to see the wonderful people at the Hospice Shop. This special place has not just got 'Ginge's tick of approval' it has repeatedly got Ginge's approval as one of his most often visited venues. Find these lovely people yourself and maybe meet Ginge, go to, 66 Town Centre. Ph: 03-249-8955 or Email: teanau@hospiceshop.org.nz Ginge was also seen outside Fresh Choice with a bird in his mouth... You rascal Ginge! Someone needs to teach you that cats shouldn't attack the birds. We really hope this wasn't one of our precious taonga or treasured native birds. And maybe you need to get some better leave the birds alone, manners Ginge, our lovely boy! We know that sadly a bell on the collar won't work as Ginge already manages to extract himself from his tracking collar with amazing regularity, so possibly locals can nicely and carefully tell Ginge to leave the birds alone if he is chasing them, or take them away from him... Saturday 27 January - Ginge was back again to get his fill of human adoration at Lakeview Holiday Park. He got worn out from all the attention and had to find a cosy place to take a wee rest before heading off to find more of his loyal loving subjects. Ginge is taking to royalty and worldwide recognition like moths to a flame. The more he gets, the more he wants and demands! If you too want to check out the Ginge approved and reapproved Lakeview Holiday Park, one of his most favourite places to keep going back to, visit them at: 77 Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9679, or Phone on 03-249 7457 Friday 26 January - bad boy Ginge was out past curfew again, he must be at that rebellious stage of life! He poor worried parents were reduced to putting a missing cat post up on the town Facebook page, AGAIN! Luckily, they found that the wonderful staff and campers at Te Anau Lake View Holiday Park had been showering Ginge with love & attention. That's why he didn't want to go! We sadly don't have photos of Ginge's visit here, do any of you? Please send! If you too want to hang out with the wonderful staff and campers at Te Anau Lake View Holiday Park, another place with 'Ginge's tick of approval', contact: 77 Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9679, or Phone on 03-249 7457 Then Ginge was said to be just hanging around the neighbourhood at the North east corner of Matai/Mokonui St around lunchtime, he stayed here for a while, it must be a very nice place to chill out and survey the local scenery! If anyone has photos of Ginge's visits here today, please send them in to us. Ginge was later reported to be, "now home tucking into some food and will probably have a long sleep and catch up with his sister, Patch." Which leaves his human whānau or family wondering, is she the reason he leaves home?! Thursday 25 January - We are not sure what Ginge was up to earlier, other than having a reported patting party at the pump track today with all the kids! Does anyone have photos of this please? Bet all the tamariki had such fun. Ginge also decided to re-visit Southern Discoveries, which seems to be one of his favourite daily haunts on his around town jaunts. Maybe they have really comfy chairs, or just really friendly staff?! If you want to find out, visit them at: 80 Lakefront Drive, https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/lake-te-anau/ But around 3pm, Ginge decided to brush up on his sporting skills, down at The Moose. It is reported that he wasn’t interested in a cold beer but seemed to want a game of pool. We just got for photos of him doing his pool party tricks! Apparently he loved his pool cue party so much, he returned later to have another go! Ginge has given The Moose his tick of approval, you too can visit them down at 84 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, or give a call on: 03-249 7100 Then at 4pm, Ginge made a quick pitstop at the Mobil, before he tried taking on a seagull in the middle of the road by the Dairy, you brave boy Ginge! If you too need a pit stop somewhere in town, Ginge has approved this one, you can visit at 80 TOWN CENTRE, TE ANAU, SOUTHLAND 9600, Phone: 03 249 7247 Wednesday 24 January - bad boy Ginge! He is sure a cutie pie, but he is also prone to panicking his loving owners when he disappears, especially when that's after dark. Last night Ginge decided to extent his community visiting hours to include nocturnal ones, and he did not come home. Oh dear Ginge. Now he's back home, but who knows how long for, He's a very hungry boy!! And he's finally decided to catch up on last night's lost sleep just for now. But thankfully, even though he was out past his curfew, thanks to the team at Southern Discoveries who let us know he was visiting them at 10am this morning, saying, Ginge is at Southern Discoveries office chilling, as in photos. If you want to visit Southern Discoveries, also on Ginge's approved list, try: 80 Lakefront Drive, https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/lake-te-anau/ Ginge was also checking out both people and boats at the jetty earlier this morning, he even contemplated going for a bit of a sail at one point! And hopefully the person who reported this will share their photos of him too. Tuesday 23 January 2024 - this morning Ginge decided to step things up a bit with the morning exercise routine. He has been seen sliding down the slide at Southern Stars Early Learning Centre this morning!! Purrty photos are above: If your child/children would like to attend Southern Stars and play with Ginge, who has given this Learning Centre his important 'Ginge tick of approval', See them at: 18 Luxmore Drive, Te Anau 9600 or Phone on: 03 249 7858 Also today, Ginge was reported as crossing the road from Ming Gardens to the Pizza Place in the afternoon. The person watching this near Cat'astrophe take place rightly cringed as it was a busy time. But observed that Ginge has obviously done it a few times before as he literally didn't even bat an eyelid. If you see Ginge out & about, please snap some photos we can add to his diary. Monday 22 January 2024 - at 11am, Ginge is reportedly currently greeting tourists on the lakefront if anyone was looking for him. Ginge seems to do this a lot, as some of the photos above show him wandering around the lake looking for people to pat or pay him attention. Please send us more photos! Then as a token of his esteemed greatness as an ambassador, Ginge went to re-visit the Fiordland Jet offices and remind the team there what a really awesome bunch of people they are for loving him and letting him visit them. Fiordland Jet can be contacted the following ways, if you want to see Ginge or if you want to go on some amazing adventures with them while waiting: 84 Lake Front Dr, Te Anau 9600. Email: fun@fjet.nz Phone: 0800 253 826 And this same day, Ginge was found checking out all the bargains at the Hospice Shop, but alas, again he managed to foil the camera holders while doing so. This cat has some great stealthy cat-burglar like qualities for sure! To check out the Hospice Shop in Te Anau, you can find them as listed here: 66 Town Centre. Ph: 03-249-8955 or Email: teanau@hospiceshop.org.nz Sunday 21 January 2024 - Ginge was captured on camera visiting Fiordland Jet. Ginge thinks the Fiordland Jet Team are great to visit, see above photo. If you would also like to visit Fiordland Jet too, their details to contact are: 84 Lake Front Dr, Te Anau 9600. Email: fun@fjet.nz Phone: 0800 253 826 Ginge also visited the Te Anau Four Square this day, the Te Anau Four Square is on the Main Road and a handy place to call in for supplies or to see Ginge the cat apparently! You can contact the Te Anau Four Square on: https://www.foursquare.co.nz/south-island/fiordland/te-anau or find them at: 30 Town Centre, Te Anau 9640 on Phone: 03 249 7547 And as he was a busy boy this Sunday, Ginge was also in visiting The Arts Hub where he wandered around as if he owned the place, the customers really enjoyed his visit. To view The Arts Hub & maybe also see Ginge, see: 23 Main Street, Te Anau, New Zealand or Email: fiordland.arts@gmail.com Previously at 1 pm Ginge was down at the Mobil Garage, but once again he slipped away without a mug shot... we are going to have to get the locals more canny on snapping Ginge when they see him so he can be recorded! To get in touch with the Mobil Garage, you can find them or contact them: 80 TOWN CENTRE, TE ANAU, SOUTHLAND 9600, Phone: 03 249 7247 BUT... Not only did Ginge do the rounds of the above Te Anau Businesses on this day, he also had the admirable audacity to allow a young lady pick him up and carry him around the street and take selfies with him!! We would love to see some of these too. Maybe Ginge really wants to be world famous?? Saturday January 20th, 2024 Ginge's owners report that, Ginge has slipped his collar, meaning that on his wanderings around the town, he can't be tracked... what a smart cookie, oh we mean cat. But even cats can be smart cookies. Ginge loves to explore! Ginge's owners have kindly supported this Community Archive entry and effort to report on Ginge's antics around Te Anau over the summer period. January 14th, 2024 Ginge took in the view from the street beside Ming Gardens this day. If you would like to check out the view and menu inside Ming Gardens and maybe catch up with Ginge on the footpath outside, you can find them here: 2 Milford Crescent, Te Anau 9600, Phone: 03 249 7770 January 13th, 2024: Just to prove what good taste he has in food and friendly people to visit, on this day Ginge thought he would check out the menu at Olive Tree Cafe. He liked what he saw. If you would like to check them out too, you can, here: 52 Town Centre,Te Anau 9600, Opens from 8 am Wed. Phone: 03 249 8496 But one cannot live on food alone, company is also a must, so Ginge carried on his travels until he came to RealNZ and hung out with the staff there too. He came in and said hello and they loved that, these wonderful people even offered to keep him with them and return him to his owners at the end of their day. Who wouldn't want some extra time with this very handsome boy! Ginge also really played up to the camera for them, as you can see above. To visit Real NZ and hang out with their fabulous feline friendly staff, call: 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9640. Hours: Closes 7 pm. Phone: 03 249 6000 January 6th, 2024: Ginge loved his previous visit to a Te Anau resident so much on New Years Day, that he returned for another catch up or catnap. What other sightings were there of Ginge this day, do you have any or more photos? But this particular time he had managed to get rid of his tracking tag. Oh Ginge! We think this might also be the day that Ginge decided to be a community volunteer not just a visitor and he turned up to help with the bed making at Top10 much to the amusement of the person also trying to make the beds! If you too want to try out the beds at Top 10 like Ginge did, contact here: 15 Luxmore Drive,Te Anau. Phone: 03 249 8538.https://teanautop10.co.nz/ January 5th, 2024: Ginge's owners report him once again MIA not MIAOW!! Ginge has really developed a habit of Houdini proportions, disappearing all the time. They also reported that he had lost his tracking tag, which others were about to find out as well. Ginge is much loved and adored by his family, but he loves and adores everyone and has adopted the whole town as his local community! In this post of "missing cat", the most beautiful photo of Ginge was posted by his loving family, which can be seen in the collection of photos shown above. Monday January 1st, 2024 Ginge turned up to visit a local Te Anau resident today, with his pretty blue tracking tag intact. This person things that to be such a lovely friendly guy, that Ginge must have amazing parents. That is so right and true, he does! December 14, 2023: This time Ginge appears to have been publicly announced as found from his adventures around town after going walkabouts from his family, again. This day, he was seen and photographed casually making himself a cat bed at home on another Te Anau residents sofa and blanket, go Ginge! Friendly boy. Labour Weekend, 21 October 2023: This was the day that Ginge decided to try out someone's holiday home in Te Anau. After approaching the accommodation owner for pats, Ginge helped himself inside and had a good look around and eventually made himself at home on the sofa! The lucky holiday makers who were visited by Ginge, recalled his adventures. "After putting a post on the community Facebook page and making contact with his owner, he went outside and we thought he was gone home. But this same night we went to the Te Anau club for a meal and then we discovered that this is where he had gone next! When we went back home he followed us back to our house, again, where his mum came and picked him up after she finished work. He was more than welcome to visit us and you never know, he may visit again!" How fabulous that this family had such an awesome time with Ginge and that he felt safe to hang out with them. We are lucky we were sent a wonderful photo above of Ginge's relaxing visit here. If you have enjoyed Ginge's great Te Anau adventures, he'd love you to donate some money to the Fiordland Cat Rescue, to help all the other kitties that don't have a family like him. Ginge thinks that this would be a purrfect way for you all to show your appreciation for his around town antics. So if you can do this, please pop a donation into the account below and mark it "Ginge" so we can see how much support you are giving for our gorgeous boy. Kia ora!! Account name: Fiordland Cat Rescue, Bank account: 02-0965-0041669-025 This entry will be definitely be added to as more information comes to hand. If you or anyone you know has any more information or photos to share or accounts of Ginge the cat during recent times, please do share this with us in the comments section. You can do this by making a comment in the space provided under the image page. Or you can make contact with us as per the archive front page. Ginge also has his own Facebook page where you can see what he is up to or to report him on his adventures, and the link for this page is: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555442261707&mibextid=ZbWKwL PHOTOS: Image 1&2 Ginge playing Social Bowls at the green 30 Jan, from Anna Molloy Image 3 Time for a bit of Tennis for Ginge on 29 Jan, thanks to Greg Dowling Image 4 Ginge chilling outside Mexican Tastz 28 Jan, thanks to Lois Dungey Image 5 Ginge at Lakeview Holiday Park 27 Jan, thanks to Jocelyn Campbell Image 6&7Time for a game of pool @The Moose 25 Jan, thanks Ellaj Dillon Image 8&9Chilling at Southern Discoveries office on 24 Jan, thanks to staff Image 10-12 Visiting Southern Stars, thanks to the Early Learning Centre Image 13&14 Ginge outside the RealNZ building, thanks to Autumn Roper Image 15 - Ginge making himself at home on RealNZ's furniture 13 Jan 24 Image 16 Ginge wandering around the lakeside, from Janine Martig Image 17 - Fiordland Jet's visit from Ginge on Sunday 21st January 2024 Image 18 - Ginge Wandering outside Ming's Garden, thanks to Joy Hunter Image 19 - The holiday home Ginge found very comfortable. Paula Dickie Image 20 - Ginge at home with his family before mischievous adventures