Moggie in a hurry for new life

A cat with an adventurous spirit has hitched his way from Christchurch to Auckland on a lengthy train ride inside a container.

Three-year-old Chiefie got into a container in Burwood while the quake-hit Keppel family were packing, and spent four days and five nights inside until rescued.

"The curious cat jumped in the container a few times and I kept pulling him out," said Shane Keppel. "Somehow he managed to get in again last minute."

The container was locked and sent to Auckland by train and at first, Chiefie's absence was not considered out of the ordinary.

"We thought he'd just gone off to one of his hiding spots again."

The Keppel family lost their home in the earthquake and were preparing to move to Clarks Beach in Auckland for a new life when Chiefie went missing.

However, once the weekend came around, and Chiefie hadn't turned up, the family realised something was wrong.

KiwiRail customer service manager Catherine Ellett said she received an email from them, telling her the cat might be stuck in the container.

"I contacted the container terminal and the staff called out to the cat," Ms Ellett said.

Once they heard his miaowing, the staff cut the container lock and a starving Chiefie emerged.

"He was in pretty good condition," Ms Ellett said. "He turned his nose up at the milk, but he scoffed down the biscuits."

Chiefie was adopted from a rescue shelter with a broken tail three years ago.

Chiefie was picked up by Mr Keppel's sister Amanda Hayes on September 4 and was cared for by Scarlett Hayes until the Keppel's picked him up a day later.