Welcome to
the Website of the Rare Breeds
Conservation Society of New Zealand
Heritage breeds that once were a common sight have been replaced with hybrids, selected for high production. Many a heritage breed’s survival now hangs on a silken thread, some have already become extinct.
Dorset Horn sheep
Red Poll cattle
The main goal of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand is to prevent tried and proven breeds of heritage livestock from becoming extinct. We may need them in the future.
Our climate is changing, new diseases emerge, consumer preferences change and these unique breeds may be able to future-proof our livestock industry.
Faverolles poultry
Norwegian Fjord horses
Besides the heritage breeds from bygone years there are some breeds that have developed their own unique traits when isolated in New Zealand, such as the Arapawa sheep that ran wild on an island in the Marlborough Sounds for over 200 years, or the Enderby cattle that lived in sub-antarctic conditions on the Auckland Islands. These too deserve our protection.
You can help by:
- Becoming a member – JOIN – you don’t have to own any Rare Breeds.
- Making a donation – DONATE.
- Be a sponsor – PROSPECTUS.
- Taking on a vulnerable breed of livestock. Please email our secretary if you’d like some advice:
secretary (at) rarebreeds.co.nz [Type out this address replacing (at) with @]
You will find plenty of interesting information on our website so please feel free to browse!
Click HERE for a list of the main topics on our home page, or use the Google search facility below.
