Originally, New Zealand had no livestock breeds of its own but when it was rediscovered in the 18th century, explorers and others started to introduce and/develop them. Initially livestock were introduced from Australia but later they came from Europe, mainly Britain. New Zealand at present has specific breeds of its own. The book deals with historical livestock breeds that were brought into or developed in New Zealand before 1950 and became rare and so reduced in numbers that their future is endangered. The book categorizes animal breeds into those of feral origin, and standard. It defines those of feral origin as the domestic animals that escaped or were set free and form breeding groups, living and reproducing themselves successfully in a wild situation. While standard breeds are ‘the named breeds that are recognized by a formal registration system and are recorded – along with their pedigree or ancestry- in some sort of stud book’. Rare breeds of heritage discussed as feral are two goat, 12 sheep, one cattle, two pig, one horse, one donkey and one rabbit. While those considered as standard breeds are six sheep, five cattle, five pig and two horse. An overview was given for poultry breeds without providing further details. The book provides high quality photos of these breeds.
