HUHA is an established dog, cat, horse and animal rescue working for the health and welfare of animals across New Zealand

Based in Wellington, HUHA partners with animal welfare organisations and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand and in nearby countries during crises to help animals in need. We lead advocacy, rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and release work on behalf of thousands of animals of every kind each year.

If you’d like to help us help animals, please consider volunteering, making a donation or adopting a rescue pet.

HUHA's Purpose
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When animals are at risk, HUHA calls on communities and together we save lives.

HUHA Core Values

We believe every animal – whether native, introduced, rural or a pet – has value. HUHA is committed to working to ensure they can experience a safe, secure and nurturing environment.

We are action oriented and determined to make a difference. We jump in – gumboots first – and hold ourselves and others accountable.

Volunteer Positions at Animal Shelter Wellington

We aim to teach, share our knowledge and connect and empower individuals and communities with the understanding and tools they need to help animals enjoy the care and consideration they deserve.

With optimism and a fearless determination, we tackle the hardest problems and put in whatever work is required. Our perseverance and creative problem-solving enables us to find ways to fix the broken and create better outcomes for animals, people and communities.

We will always stand up to say and do what we believe is right for animals. We won’t give up on an animal for reasons including time, money, space or inconvenience. Sometimes our work can be emotionally and physically challenging, but we always put the needs of animals at the forefront of our work and leave our egos, fears and personal agendas at the door.

HUHA's Purpose
____

When animals are at risk, HUHA calls on communities and together we save lives.

HUHA Core Values
____

EVERY ANIMAL MATTERS

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We believe every animal – whether native, introduced, rural or a pet – has value. HUHA is committed to working to ensure they can experience a safe, secure and nurturing environment.

GET AMONGST IT

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We are action oriented and determined to make a difference. We jump in – gumboots first – and hold ourselves and others accountable.

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT

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We aim to teach, share our knowledge and connect and empower individuals and communities with the understanding and tools they need to help animals enjoy the care and consideration they deserve.

WE CAN AND WE WILL

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WE DON'T LET HUMAN ISSUES AFFECT OUTCOMES

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HUHA's history - from small beginnings to making change NZ-wide

Huha staff member in a grey Huha singlet holding a mini milk bottle as she feeds a possum that's wrapped up in a blanket

Huha team member in an orange high-viz jacket, drying off a brown multicoloured kitten

The desire to help, protect and rescue animals and birdlife has always been part of co-founder Carolyn Press McKenzie’s DNA. In 1998 Carolyn bought 5 acres in Peka Peka and began to rescue farm animals. After outgrowing the space, Carolyn and her husband, Jim McKenzie, bought 13 acres in Kaitoke in 2001 and called it the Pakuratahi Farm Animal Sanctuary.

As the number of injured, damaged and unwanted animals coming into the Sanctuary increased, it became clear to Carolyn and Jim that two people alone could not do all that needed to be done. They would either need to limit their vision and impact to saving as many animals as their Sanctuary could hold or they would need to expand and engage individuals and the broader community to help.

Understanding that many animals were not neglected or abused through conscious cruelty, but through lack of knowledge, empathy and resources, they realised their impact could expand beyond just rescuing animals to empowering others to understand, consider and care for them. Out of this idea, HUHA was born.

Cute brown and white dog on a leash, and a Huha team member drying off a brown multicoloured kitten

2001 Pakuratahi Sanctuary founded
Carolyn Press McKenzie and Jim McKenzie opened an animal sanctuary at their Kaitoke farm.
2008 Pakuratahi Sanctuary reborn as HUHA
Helping You Help Animals Charitable Trust.
2011 Christchurch earthquake response and HUHA Otaki shelter opened
In the first major disaster response, HUHA volunteers helped 160 animals during the Christchurch earthquake rescue response. A former stables in Otaki was leased as a shelter and refuge for dogs and horses in need.
2013 HUHA Charity Boutique Op Shop - Otaki opened
To help fund the nearby HUHA dog shelter.
2015 HUHA Online store opened
To sell HUHA-branded merchandise and newly published Animal Magic with all profits going towards the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals in need.
2017 HUHA Vet Clinic and future HUHA sanctuary land purchased
A generous bequest enabled HUHA to purchase Stokes Valley Vets to carry on the late Ian Hughes’ legacy of excellence in compassionate animal care and better support HUHA and community animal care. 157 acres of former forest block land was bought in rural Wellington as the future home of HUHA.
2019 HUHA Charity Boutique Op Shop - Petone and HUHA Ethical Gift store opened
To help fund the organisation’s growth and rescue work - including the emergency shelter provided by HUHA to nearly 1,000 animals during the Nelson fires.
2020 major emergency response missions
HUHA staff and volunteers responded to Australian bushfires and floods across the country, rescued 191 emaciated cows in Christchurch and helped during the Covid 19 pandemic.
2022 HUHA Charity Boutique Op Shop – Carterton opened
To help fund the growing demand for HUHA’s help.