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Kune Kune Pigs
The exact origin of Kunekune pigs is not known exactly. Some say that the early Maori brought them over in the first canoes that arrived in New Zealand; others say that they are Asian in origin. Their cross-breeding with Captain Cookers and domestic breeds meant their demise was imminent. A rescue mission by Staglands Wildlife Reserve and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to preserve the breed now sees them thriving.
Kunekune’s are a very docile pig; round, plump looking, short legged, and dumpy with an upturned nose. Most have the distinctive tassels (piripiri) hanging from their lower jaw and they come in a wide range of colours. Kunekune is a Maori word, and in English it means “fat and round”! |
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Auckland Island Pigs
The Auckland Islands are a group of sub-Antarctic islands which lie some 320kms south of New Zealand. Many animals were released on these islands in the 1800s with a view to feeding shipwrecked sailors, usually from sealing or whaling ships. By the end of the last century the Department of Conservation decided that too much vegetation was being destroyed and that the eggs and young of ground nesting birds were at great risk. This resulted in the decision to eradicate all introduced animals on the island. An expedition to save some of the pigs was carried out in 1999 by the Rare Breeds Society, some of which now reside at Staglands, Wellington.
These pigs are smaller than the average wild pig, with longer, narrower heads and noses and with a long, straight tail. Our enclosure here at our Wellington farm park depicts their natural environment where you can see the pigs romp around in their bush setting.
Compare the different features of the Auckland Island pigs and the Kunekune pigs with the kids, for a fun family activity! |
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