Arapawa Island Pig, Spencerville Wildlife Reserve

Arapawa Island is a small isle in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. There are feral populations of domestic goats, sheep and pigs on the island dating back to the early days of discovery (perhaps as far back as Captain Cook in the 18th century).

When this photo was taken, in May 1985, this council-run collection in Spencerville on the outskirts of Christchurch was called the Spencerville Wildlife Reserve (or Park). It had been at the location since the late 1960s. In 1996 the animals were moved from Spencer Park to the neighbouring Seafield Park, the name was changed to Seafield Wildlife Park, and the collection was downsized to just a few aviaries and a couple of pens for sheep and pigs.