One of New Zealand's longest-serving sniffer dogs is hanging up his vest.
Watchman the Beagle has been working for the Ministry for Primary Industries at Auckland Airport for nine years, intercepting thousands of goods brought in by travellers or in the mail.
Today staff held a retirement ceremony for Watchman, with his children and grandchildren watching on.
He's well known for his starring roles in Border Security shows, with visitors even asking if he's on duty when they land.
Brett Hickman of the Ministry for Primary Industries told 1 NEWS Watchman has done a fantastic job.
"We've had international travellers come through the country and go, 'is Watchman on today?'. And for us that means the message of biosecurity is actually getting out there.
"That people are watching it, remembering a name and coming through and hopefully remembering the message of biosecurity. So Watchman's quite important to us," he said.
Liz Moore has been Watchman's handler for nine years, and she's taking him home as a pet in his retirement.
"Nine years, it's pretty long bond that we've had together. And it's going to feel quite strange that I'm actually taking him home to meet my mother for the first time after a nine year relationship," Ms Moore said.
"Seriously, Watchman has been the best partner anyone could hope for. And he has just been an exemplary example of a employee for MPI," she said.
"The number of people that he's searched over the years, and the interceptions that he's made, has definitely saved New Zealand from some probably pretty serious incursions over the years."
Watchman's legacy will live on, with his offspring training to become sniffer dogs themselves.
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