“I’m currently studying for a Bachelor of Animal Science (BAnSci) at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand – a journey that began in 2015 when I first encountered the South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) team. At the time, I was working as an assistant in the Livestock Division of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food…
Tongatapu, August 2025 was my first SPAW experience. I had worked with Geoff Neal in clinic in New Zealand, where I heard countless stories about these trips – both from Geoff and Victoria as well as Zoetis staff who had returned glowing with excitement. Their passion was contagious, and it inspired me to finally join…
In 2011, a little abandoned puppy took a tumble from a veranda in Vava’u and broke his leg. Fortunately, a small volunteer team of vets and vet nurses from SPAW were on the island at the time and were able to help. Oxy, as the puppy was to become known as, was adopted by expat…
This was my fourth volunteer tenure with SPAW and my first as team leader. Our team had all arrived into Samoa at different times, so we came together on the Saturday with the Animal Protection Society (APS) team picking us up from various locations to make the afternoon ferry crossing to Savai’i. This particular outreach…
Volunteering with SPAW for the first time was an incredibly rewarding experience. It was a privilege to help the animals in Tonga and witness the impact our work had on the local community. I first heard about SPAW when Siobhan Marshall appeared on Celebrity Treasure Island and I’ve followed the organisation ever since — watching…
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Mariska van der Colff for hosting a beautiful high tea fundraiser in Tauranga in June 2025, raising $1,000 in support of SPAW’s vital work. A dedicated veterinarian and repeat SPAW volunteer, Mariska has served on missions in both Tongatapu and Vava’u – and she will lead our upcoming…
I have volunteered multiple times with SPAW but this experience was nothing short of incredible. We had a hardworking, adaptable and positive team of eight vets and nurses who worked extremely well together to treat hundreds of animals in what were very challenging conditions. Torrential rain, high winds, a power outage, having no water at…
In May Nicole Doriguzzi joined our field trip to Tongatapu, bringing her vast experience in animal welfare. She manages the desexing caravan at the Masterton SPCA, providing essential care to sick animals before rehoming them. In 2019, she founded Ellie’s Canine Rescue and Rehome and since then, she and her team of dedicated volunteers have…
Hannah McInally is a Vet Nurse from Queenstown. Hannah was one of the team that went over to Samoa in March and she shared her volunteer experience with us. “I was first inspired to volunteer with SPAW as a colleague had volunteered previously and this was my second SPAW trip. I had a pretty good…
Dr Cathy Pollock BVSc is a Veterinarian from Lyttleton. Cathy was one of our team leads on our March trips to Samoa and she shared her volunteer experience with us. “I was fortunate to participate in the SPAW Samoa clinic in March 2025. The field trip was my third with SPAW. Each time I have…
