News and Articles

Our Stories

Latest news from the Trust

Read the latest news from the trust from all around New Zealand. We’ll try to keep you up to date with what is happening, the latest advice and some great information for caring for your donkey or mule.

A Donkey for Christmas

Just before Christmas a supporter of the Trust purchased a donkey via TradeMe. The donkey was initially advertised as...

read more
And two makes Seven!

And two makes Seven!

As per our previous post, the Trust was asked to help rehome five donkeys, Sarah, Lauren, Ava, Humphrey and Bogart. ...

read more
Weatherby of Mamaku

Weatherby of Mamaku

Weatherby came to the Mamaku Rescue and Rehoming Centre with a number of nasty gashes as he was constantly escaping...

read more
Donkeys love visitors

Donkeys love visitors

Recently Pauline of the Mamaku Rescue and Rehoming Centre welcomed Pippi, Gregg and Susie to the centre out of Rotorua...

read more

Want to read more?

Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive more news and articles, where you can find a lot more information and advice.

Facebook Feed

Articles from our Facebook page

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

This is Violet. She has been under the care of the Trust for a number of years now. She is very inquisitive and likes to be in charge. ... See MoreSee Less

This is Violet. She has been under the care of the Trust for a number of years now. She is very inquisitive and likes to be in charge.

Comment on Facebook

Beautiful girl ❤️❤️❤️

She's got a gorgeous face.

She looks just like our Lulu of the Trust 🥰

Aw Baby darling.

Hello Sweetie🤗🥰

sweet

View more comments

Portia and Lacey want to know if you have bought your 2025 calendars yet as they are on the front cover.

donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/
... See MoreSee Less

Portia and Lacey want to know if you have bought your 2025 calendars yet as they are on the front cover.

https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/

Comment on Facebook

Beautiful donkeys 🫏 😍 calendar and cards purchased 👌 Love ❤️ from Jasmine and Jessie 💕

We have the calendars and they are wonderful, perfect for under the Christmas tree 🙂

Yes I have my beautiful calendar. Thank you Portia, Lacey and the others for the great modelling! 🥰

Donkey and Mule Protection Trust NZ Very well 💕 they are both bonding nicely 😀 Jasmine is definitely in charge but Jessie is more than happy to follow 👍

Gorgeous💕🤗

View more comments

Poor Jethro's lovely ears got cut off in our last post so here he is again. ... See MoreSee Less

Poor Jethros lovely ears got cut off in our last post so here he is again.

Comment on Facebook

I so love those ears..!! 🫏🩶

What a handsome lad 🩷

You have competition Jethro .. here is Dolly🩷

Ear ear!

Jethro is Chesterfield's paddock buddy. He was on his own but now hangs with Chesterfield and some other lovely ladies. All his costs are covered by his owner who realised he needed to be with other donkeys. His owner visits every week with treats and lots of love. ... See MoreSee Less

Jethro is Chesterfields paddock buddy. He was on his own but now hangs with Chesterfield and some other lovely ladies. All his costs are covered by his owner who realised he needed to be with other donkeys. His owner visits every week with treats and lots of love.

Comment on Facebook

That is really lovely. Jethro living his best life xx

That’s lovely 😍

This is Chesterfield. He is a lovely old gentleman who has been a movie star and is now enjoying his retirement under the care of a Trust guardian.
He is such a character.
... See MoreSee Less

This is Chesterfield. He is a lovely old gentleman who has been a movie star and is now enjoying his retirement under the care of a Trust guardian. 
He is such a character.

Comment on Facebook

He is a handsome boy!!

Enjoy your retirement Sweetie🥰🤗

My name is Weatherby and I am wondering why you won't just give me my dinner instead of taking my photo. ... See MoreSee Less

My name is Weatherby and I am wondering why you wont just give me my dinner instead of taking my photo.

Comment on Facebook

Fair comment Weatherby ! But I love seeing your photos. He's looking really good Pauline. He's a very handsome donkey. Thank you for sharing. Hope you & Bennie and all the donkeys are well xx

Weatherby you are sooooo handsome! 😍🫏

Patience Weatherby, patience!

Weatherby you are gorgeous

Good morning to you all from the handsome Chester who is one of our sponsored donkeys. He lives in Rotorua at the Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary.
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/
... See MoreSee Less

Good morning to you all from the handsome Chester who is one of our sponsored donkeys. He lives in Rotorua at the Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary. 
https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/

Comment on Facebook

MUAH 💋 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Hi Chester your looking good❤

Good morning Chester ❤️

Donkeys mooching around on cool spring evening waiting for dinner. Life is all about food and your mates. ... See MoreSee Less

And hello to you. I am pretty and pretty damn perfect. ... See MoreSee Less

And hello to you. I am pretty and pretty damn perfect.

Comment on Facebook

Yes, you are 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Love those ears

Yes you are perfect! 😍

Gods gift

And hello to you.
I am pretty and pretty damn perfect.
... See MoreSee Less

And hello to you. 
I am pretty and pretty damn perfect.

Beautiful Grace waiting for hay. Straw is just not enough for dinner. ... See MoreSee Less

Beautiful Grace waiting for hay. Straw is just not enough for dinner.

Comment on Facebook

Love her colors

Stunning ❤️

Amazing Grace.! 🎶

Waiting patiently for dinner. ... See MoreSee Less

Waiting patiently for dinner.

Comment on Facebook

Good manners 🥰

Dinner on a calm spring evening. So relaxing just being here with them. ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Bon appétit my lovelies 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Have you bought our calendar yet? We are Mr and Mrs October 2025 and look very glamorous. This is our everyday look. donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/ ... See MoreSee Less

Have you bought our calendar yet? We are Mr and Mrs October 2025 and look very glamorous.   This is our everyday look.  https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/

Comment on Facebook

I have my calendars already. The promise of a new donkey is my favourite part of each month!

The calendar is gorgeous! I'm so pleased with mine, and will be gifting one too😊

Love my new calendar! 💖

Beautiful photo ❤️

Lady, can you get this off of me??? No, I wasn't playing with the bucket...it just wrapped itself around my hoof! ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Sweet little Santo, you are a clown!!

Love the caption 😄

She's a placid girl,most would likely have gone nuts with that wrapped round their foot!!

Lisa haha it’s dainty’s twin in donk form 🤭 gotta love sensible youngsters

Sensible, donkeys, no panic 🥰

🤣🤣

View more comments

Yay Sun! ... See MoreSee Less

Yay Sun!

Comment on Facebook

All go here getting Mickey, Milo & santos house ready!

These guys should have a calendar of their own. ... See MoreSee Less

These guys should have a calendar of their own.

Comment on Facebook

Such hams 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Thanks for my calendars and cards, they arrived yesterday 😊

Next year 👍 Jamie and Trigger… Jamie’s 13yrs old and Trigger is 3yrs old. Not buddies but good friends ❤️

Sweetest little faces!

Cool kids

Great pic

IMHO, all Animals and Donkeys should have their own calendar 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

View more comments

Word has it there are still people who have yet to buy our calendar - hard to believe when we look this gorgeous. donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/ ... See MoreSee Less

Word has it there are still people who have yet to buy our calendar - hard to believe when we look this gorgeous. https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/

Comment on Facebook

Love this 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Wheres my dinner? ... See MoreSee Less

Wheres my dinner?

Have you ordered your calendars yet?

Santo was hoping the flower garlands used in the photo shoot might be real.

To order your calendar and Xmas cards online please go to donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/
... See MoreSee Less

Have you ordered your calendars yet?  

Santo was hoping the flower garlands used in the photo shoot might be real.

To order your calendar and Xmas cards online please go to https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/

Comment on Facebook

How beautiful 💖 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

Adorable

Our calendar and cards are now printed so those of you who have already ordered will be receiving them soon. If you are still to order please go to our website
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar
Beautiful donkeys are waiting for your order.
... See MoreSee Less

Our calendar and cards are now printed so those of you who have already ordered will be receiving them soon.  If you are still to order please go to our website
https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar
Beautiful donkeys are waiting for your order.

Comment on Facebook

So beautiful 💕 Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

My calendars and cards have just arrived and they are absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much😍

Yay! Will order some soon 🙂

Our 2025 calendar is now on sale. This special edition recognises the Trust 20 year anniversary of helping donkeys and their owners in New Zealand. You can order online now. We also have Xmas cards available this year and offer combos to purchase both calendars and cards. Please place your order at
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/
... See MoreSee Less

Our 2025 calendar is now on sale. This special edition recognises the Trust 20 year anniversary of helping donkeys and their owners in New Zealand. You can order online now. We also have Xmas cards available this year and offer combos to purchase both calendars and cards. Please place your order at
https://donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2025-calendar/

Comment on Facebook

Love this ❤️ Safe and loved: Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane

I love this photo, I also love your calendars & order every year. 🫏🫏😍

Just ordered my calendar and cards. They look lovely. Photos are lovely. Read the newsletter, funny photos. Loved ' models walking off' .

Lovely photos! Will be ordering soon🫏💗

Irene Henry might give this a go andctake some photos

Adorable

Anna Carseldine look

View more comments

These three escaped today. Found them in a paddock of new green grass. Three old men...I think they look guilty. Do you? ... See MoreSee Less

These three escaped today. Found them in a paddock of new green grass. Three old men...I think they look guilty. Do you?

Comment on Facebook

They look a bit annoyed you found them 😂

Nope just innocent faces here people now move along 🤣

They are completely innocent, unless you have photographic evidence of them in the aforementioned grassy paddock.

Not guilty, satisfied and overfill like Christmas Dinner

Boys! They're each saying "He made me do it." 😆

They certainly don't look like they need green grass.. or feeling guilty for being on said green grass

No they look like Angels to me😇not guilty😂

Who is? Never 🤣

Is that Oscar leading the way???🤣

Embarrassment?

Alan, Gary and Denis

Cheeky men!

View more comments

Getting some winter sun ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

A great spot for donks

Load more

Subscribe to our Newsletter