19 Sep 2023
Fears future of sheep possibly brought to NZ by Captain Cook
One of the first ever breed of sheep introduced to New Zealand is facing a very uncertain future. Arapawa sheep are thought to have been introduced to Arapaoa Island (formerly Arapawa Island) in the late 18th century, when two of the animals were gifted to resident Maori by Captain James Cook. Rare Breed society member and founder of Christchurch's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Mike Willis talks to Mark Leishman about his concerns following a recent count of the sheep.