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The Horse

There are no horse breeds native to New Zealand (in fact the only native mammals in New Zealand are two species of bat). However, in the central North Island there are wild horses, called Kaimanawa's, after the area in which they live. While these horses are descendents of stock and military horses that have escaped or been let loose, they are recognised as now being genetically different from other breeds. In fact there are two strains which do not mix, a northern and southern strain of the wild horse.

Unfortunately, they are viewed as vermin by the Dept of Conservation and a control and eradication programme is underway. The program will wipe out the entire northern strain and radically reduce the numbers of the southern bands. Our Kaimanawas page provides more information on this breed and the movement to preserve them.

Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand was established early on in the country's history and has thrived in all areas from small rural racecourses to large cities. In the last few years competition from lotteries, casinos and other entertainment has lead to a decline in the popularity and stakes for racing, but the success of New Zealand bred horses internationally has kept the industry in relatively good health.

In general the thoroughbred is very popular in New Zealand. It is commonly used in almost all work and sport. 'Failed' and retired racehorses frequently find a new life as hacks or sport horses.

Standardbred horse racing is also popular in New Zealand and both pacing and trotting horses are raced. Cardigan Bay was the world's first harness horse to win more than a million dollars in stakes money, racing in the USA for his final few years before retiring to New Zealand. More recently New Zealand Standardbreds have crossed the globe to race against the best in Europe and the United States.

Sport Horses and New Zealand Hacks

The 'station hack' is a term referring to a horse bred for and used on New Zealand farms, in particular the large (thousands of hectares) stations of the high country. These horses are often crosses of Thoroughbred and Clydesdale which produces a tough general purpose mount.  The toughness and versatility of these horses has made them popular sport horses, in particular hunters and they are often used in trekking operations. 

Even purpose bred sport horses may be described as 'stationbred' provided that they still carry the basic characteristics of their farming cousins, including healthy doses of cross-breeding and early years spent roaming the hills without much human intervention to provide it with toughness and surefootedness.

Eventers bred in New Zealand, whether thoroughbred or part thoroughbred are popular with overseas buyers, as are polo ponies.

NZ Arab Horse Breeders Society PO Box 26014 Auckland. Phone (09) 638 9969

Andalusian Horse Assn of NZ Secretary Susan Grindall PO Box 300754 Albany AUCKLAND Phone: 09 415 8187

ACPRE - NZ Associacion de Caballos de Pura Raza Espanola.  Dr S Holle RD1 Ohaupo email

Appaloosa Horse Association of New Zealand  Secretary Jan Debney Telephone and fax: +64 (07) 378 0836  P O Box 1041, Taupo, New Zealand

Canterbury Horse & Pony Breeders Society Debbie Hewitt, Bush Road, OXFORD ph / fax 03 312 4243 email debbie.hewitt@xtra.co.nz 

Clydesdale Horse Society  Secretary V L Simmons  Piako Road R D 1, HAMILTON Phone: 07 824 3813 email

Connemara Pony Society  Secretary: Bridget Turner Grange Hills, Elders Rd RD2 Timaru Phone (03) 612 9867

Donkey Society of NZ  Secretary: Mrs Andrea Thomson, Pemberley' Kiwitea, R D 7, FEILDING Phone: 06 328 9812

Friesian Society

Golden Horse Society - Registers for Dun, Buckskin, Cremello & Perlino Horses, Secretary: Mrs Kris Hamilton 321 Amreins Rd, Taupaki, RD2 Auckland Phone: (09) 810 8060

Hackney Society.  Janice Riley, 'Yarraman Park', Larcombs Road, Broadfield, R.D.5, CHRISTCHURCH Phone: 03 318 3886

Hanoverian Society of NZ Secretary: Bridget Sutton Auckland Phone: (09) 292 9143

Holstein Breeders Association. June Marsden 506 Ormondville Rd, Takapau, Hawke Bay Phone: (06) 855 8944

NZ Hunter and Light Horse Breeding Improvement Society
Publicity Officer, Lyn Grand "Loch May" 86 Edmonds Rd RD2 Kaiapoi Phone (02) 312 0011

Icelandic Horses

Irish Draught Horse Society  Secretary: Debbie Hewitt, Bush Road, Oxford, North Canterbury ph / fax 03 312 4243 email debbie.hewitt@xtra.co.nz

Kaimanawa Horse Breed Society Secretary Isabel Park, 148 Old Huatere Rd RD1 Otaki Phone (06) 364 3040

New Zealand Miniature Horse Association (Inc)  Secretary: Allan Tonner Gervin Rd, RD2 Silverdale Auckland Phone (09) 426 7154

Morgan Horse Association of NZ Inc.  Janice de Raad, 111 Hodges, Rd, Waimana, Bay of Plenty  email

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