Meet Zephyr

Meet Zephyr

Cast your vote today!

Cast your vote for the next #NZTOPDOG

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Meet Zephyr

Meet Zephyr

Cast your vote today!

Cast your vote for the next #NZTOPDOG

Vote now Vote now

Meet Zephyr

Breed: Border Collie

Barking from: Birkdale, Auckland

What's up dog?

Zephyr is the MATES Pawsitivity and Wellness Officer! MATES is the Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme, working with over 300 young people each year. MATES is a not-for-profit education programme run by the Great Potentials Foundation. Our mentors are University students (who get to see Zephyr for cuddles during stressful times) and mentees are Year 8 and Year 13 students across 14 schools from under resourced communities in Auckland, NZ. Mentees are selected based on their potential to succeed despite factors that may prohibit them from doing so (low income family, first in family, etc). MATES is a structured mentoring and tutoring programme that happens every week after school during Term time to boost academic potential, confidence, and positive self esteem of mentees with the help from their mentors! Since introducing Zephyr to MATES, he has visited MATES sessions at school to talk about dog safety, kindness and empathy and of course, to show off his pawty tricks! He signs off every email and message with a 'pawsitive tip' and a funny picture to accompany it. Zephyr even comes to the office each week and has his own ID tag! Zephyr brings so much love and joy to the students and staff we work with that we really need to consider having him on the payroll. Zephyr lights up any room he enters! With his devilish handsome looks and expressive 'eyebrows', people fall in love as soon as they meet him. Even with our shyer students, Zephyr encourages confidence through his 20 something tricks (he listens to anyone with a treat) and gives an opportunity for staff to take brain breaks through walks or a round of fetch. He makes a daily appearance on the MATES instagram page (@matesmentoringnz) and even made an appearance on Auckland Transport socials with their pets on public transport initiative! You will even get a glimpse of strangers on the bus fawning over Zephyr and giving him lots of cuddles after we get off the bus which was completely not scripted! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CD2Xjw7B6/ (video with Auckland Transport) Zephyr is a silly, goofy boy at the best of times and he knows how to make you laugh without trying very hard. One time, we were all in a very serious SLT meeting and the atmosphere was tense. What did Zephyr do? Rub his whole body against all the walls of course to break the tension. He also likes to climb up on the sofa in the CEO's office to look out the window to watch the cars on the motorway. As you can imagine, Zephyr is an office favourite!

2025 NZ People's Choice Award

We believe no dog should be left behind.


Every dog entered into the competition is automatically in the running for the 2025 People’s Choice Award — and the winner will be decided by you, the public.


This year, we’re giving the aroha back to our communities.


Each year, our campaign is supported by a number of incredible charities across Aotearoa that work tirelessly to improve the lives of dogs and people alike. In 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on these organisations and the vital mahi they do.


As part of the voting process, every voter will have the chance to donate to our amazing mental health or dog-focused charities.


It’s your vote, your voice, and your opportunity to make a difference.

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