Pig causes traffic delay at Sumner pedestrian crossing
Tuesday 13 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated 
A pig named Pumba stopped motorists on Wakefield Avenue in Sumner on Sunday. After breaking away from his owner, the animal was filmed walking towards a pedestrian crossing. Drivers stopped to allow the pig to reach the other side of the road safely.
Key facts
4 facts
- The incident occurred on Sunday in Sumner, Christchurch.
- The pig, named Pumba, crossed Wakefield Avenue at a pedestrian crossing.
- The footage was recorded by Madeleine Bateman.
- The Christchurch City Council received no reports regarding the pig on Sunday.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
A pig named Pumba caused traffic to stop in Sumner on Sunday after breaking away from his owner. The animal was seen walking along Wakefield Avenue before choosing to use a pedestrian crossing to reach the other side. Motorists stopped their vehicles to allow the pig to cross the road safely.
Sumner resident Madeleine Bateman captured the event on video while having coffee with her partner, Levi Prier. Bateman noted that the pig's owner frequently takes him for walks in the area, including trips to the beach. She observed that the owners tried to call him back, but the pig appeared determined to go home.
Pumba is a well-known figure in the Christchurch community and often attracts attention during his walks. Bateman shared the footage on the Instagram account Get Hammered. A Christchurch City Council spokesperson stated that the pig is a local who sometimes visits the beach to sunbathe.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.