Arapawa Pigs

A Rare Breed of New Zealand Origin

Arapawa pig on Arapawa Island   (Photo by Betty Rowe)

      The true origin of the wild pigs of Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds is not known although they have given rise to much speculation.   It has been suggested that they are descendants of animals released in the Marlborough Sounds area by James Cook in 1773 and 1777.   A more likely explanation, however, is that they were introduced by whalers during the first half of the nineteenth century.

      Several attempts were made over the years to catch some of the pigs, but until the late 1990s there were only a few adults on the mainland, and they were critically endangered on Arapawa Island itself.

Young Arapawa pigs being reared in Canterbury   (Trotter/McCulloch photo)

      Then in 1998 four healthy piglets were recovered from the Island and these have been successfully bred from.

      Arapawa pigs are somewhat larger than those from the Auckland Islands (see  Auckland Island Pigs) with shorter noses and tails.   Many are an attractive tan with black patches but other colours also occur, including pure black.

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