Arapawa goat, Underwood Farm Neebo. Photo / Caro Stanners
The Country’s Kem Ormond learns about the fascinating history of the Arapawa goat through Wairarapa woman Alison Sutherland’s passion for the breed.
When passion takes hold, it often leads to deep research, learning and sharing knowledge.
For Alison Sutherland, that passion extended beyond curiosity; she documented it in a series of books.
The story of New Zealand’s Arapawa goat is unlike any other.
It is a living link to the country’s colonial past and maritime history, yet it is also a tale marked by emotion, good intentions and conflict.
This journey has united people and divided them, bringing moments of joy and profound sadness.
“It remains an important story that cannot be ignored and needs to be told,” Sutherland said.
Driven by this conviction, Sutherland began writing to uncover accurate information about Arapawa goats and share the story behind a breed whose survival is under threat.
Her interest began in the early 2000s while living on a lifestyle block in Wairarapa.
Fascinated by rare animal breeds, Sutherland decided to acquire some Arapawa goats after learning about their unique DNA.
This decision sparked a two-decade journey into the breed’s history, genetics and conservation, culminating in four books dedicated to the subject.
The Arapawa goat is striking in appearance, with black and brown markings and, in some cases, cream, tan, or various shades of brown.
Its genetic makeup offers valuable traits such as hardiness, disease resistance and adaptability: qualities that could influence future livestock breeding in an era of climate uncertainty.
For heritage advocates, the goat represents more than an animal; it is a cultural treasure, a reminder of intertwined stories of people, land and survival.
The breed’s origins trace back to the late 18th century when Captain James Cook introduced goats to New Zealand during his voyages.
Historical records indicate that in 1773 and 1777, Cook released goats on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds and gifted others to Māori chiefs.
These animals were believed to resemble the now-extinct Old English Milch goat.
Over centuries, they adapted to the island’s rugged terrain and isolation, evolving into a distinct breed with unique genetic traits.
Sutherland’s latest book, An Extraordinary Goat, reveals new DNA research showing that a South African goat also contributed to the Arapawa goat’s genetic profile.
For more than two centuries, the goats thrived largely undisturbed, becoming part of the island’s landscape.
By the mid-19th century, visitors described the island as “swarming” with goats, a testament to their resilience.
The 1970s marked a turning point when conservationists deemed them a threat to native flora and fauna and began eradication efforts.
This sparked a clash between two passionate groups: ecological preservation advocates and heritage conservationists.
At the centre of this struggle was Betty Rowe, an Arapawa Island resident whose unwavering commitment saved the breed from extinction.
In 1987, Rowe established a 300-acre sanctuary, starting with 40 goats, and dedicated her life to their survival until her death in 2008.
Rowe’s efforts attracted international attention, leading to exports of goats to the United States and the United Kingdom, where small breeding programmes began.
In 2008, genetic testing confirmed the Arapawa goat as a unique population, earning it “critical” status on The Livestock Conservancy’s priority list.
However, in the United Kingdom, speculative breeding and hoarding resulted in undersupply, waning interest and a dramatic population decline that ended in their disappearance.
Today, the Arapawa goat remains one of the rarest breeds in the world.
Global estimates suggest fewer than 2000 animals exist, with fewer than 100 breeding individuals in New Zealand.
From a pair of ship’s goats gifted by Captain Cook to a critically endangered breed, the Arapawa goat’s story is about more than preservation; it is about honouring history, protecting biodiversity and ensuring this remarkable chapter of New Zealand’s heritage endures.
It is about the survival of an incredibly special goat.
While this article only touches the surface of the breed’s history and survival, Sutherland’s newly released book, An Extraordinary Goat, offers a comprehensive and captivating account.
Beautifully illustrated with 34 colour photographs, it is an absorbing read from start to finish.
Her years of research have provided invaluable insight into the Arapawa goat’s past and future.