The initiative of Hawke's Bay alpaca breeders Peter and Tessa McKay just five years after establishing a mill at Maraekakaho for the premium fibre from their flock has now spread to the restaurant table with the arrival of homegrown alpaca on the menu in New Zealand for the first time.
Mrs
McKay said they'd been investigating the idea for about two years after seven months acquiring risk management approval enabling the animals to be killed for the meat trade in New Zealand.
They bought in the first 43 animals from alpaca breeders around New Zealand to be killed by Venison Packers Feilding.
Mrs McKay said that as a steady flow of fleeces went through the mill, they also appreciated there were other opportunities around for the use of the animals, just as had been done by the Aymara herders of the Andes.
Alpaca meat is lean and high in protein, making it a natural for cuts to make their way to the table in New Zealand for the first time.
By sensible and careful culling of genetically unsuitable and non-productive stock, the couple hope to ensure the continued growth and quality of alpaca in this country.
A full range of conventional gourmet cuts has emerged, including strip loin, shanks, neck chops, French racks, shoulders and back straps, much to the delight of Mangapapa Lodge executive chef Glen Anderson.
"I was really excited when approached to experiment with alpaca meat," he said.
"It responds well to Asian type flavours and is excellent as meatballs, seasoned with chilli and lime, or New Zealand flavours, such as kawakawa or horopito."
Venison Packers general manager Simon Wishnowsky said the company needed 30 sets of mainly microbiological data to validate the major changes to its risk management plans.
The McKays plan promotional activities and have retained quality meat supplier Grande Gourmet of Hastings for distribution, using the brand "Aymara".
They will continue to run the Mesa Natural Fibre Mill.
New Zealand has about 15,000 alpaca and 700 registered owners, and the McKays have 65 in their own herd.
Some home kill of alpacas has occurred before but commercial slaughter, boning and meat retailing is new to this country.
