05/04/2025
Why is the Kaimanawa Herd in a Population Crisis?
The Kaimanawa wild horses are currently facing a population crisis. The herd has grown to 679 horses, well over the management target of 300 horses set by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect both the horses and their fragile alpine environment.
This overpopulation stems from a series of setbacks over the last five years:
• 2018 saw a major muster where 300 horses were removed and rehomed—an enormous effort that avoided slaughter and brought the herd back to 300.
• 2019 was a success, with a smaller muster of around 80 horses to maintain the 300 mark.
• 2020–2022: The COVID-19 pandemic caused musters to be cancelled or reduced, with DOC showing leniency due to national uncertainty and financial strain. This allowed the population to increase unchecked, with roughly 80–100 foals born each year.
• 2023: A planned muster was cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle, missing the opportunity to remove over 100 horses.
• 2024: Only 88 horses were removed in the April muster. DOC opted not to send the remaining 142 horses to slaughter, instead offering a second muster (which was ultimately cancelled due to incomplete yard infrastructure).
As a result, 142 horses that should have been rehomed in 2024 remained in the ranges. Combined with natural population growth, this has led to the current herd size of 679 horses. If left unmanaged, up to 160 foals could be born in the coming season, potentially pushing the population to 840 horses or more by this time next year—and over 1,000 within another 18 months.
DoC’s Current Goal
To avoid crisis, DOC is aiming to reduce the herd to 400 horses, rather than the traditional 300. This revised number allows for:
• A more realistic rehoming target (279 horses to rehome, rather than 379).
• Integration of immunocontraception, which has already been administered to 52 mares, with another 100 planned this year.
With 152 mares contracepted, the annual foal birth rate could drop from about 104 to around 75 foals per year. This makes future musters significantly smaller and more manageable, with the potential to shift to biennial musters rather than annual ones. Foaling rates will reduce further when the horses receive their second dose of GonaCon which takes place four years after their first injection. For the Argo Valley and Zone 20 horses this is due in 2026, with the Southern Zone mares due in 2029 (assuming they are treated this year).
What’s at Stake
New Zealand has been slaughter-free since 2014. This year is critical. If the public does not step up to help rehome the excess horses:
• Horses will face slaughter for the first time in a decade.
• The herd will continue to grow beyond manageable limits.
• Future musters will be even larger and harder to rehome.
But if the herd can be reduced to 400 this year, and immunocontraception expanded, this could be the last major muster. It would secure a sustainable and humane future for the Kaimanawa horses—where all horses can be rehomed, and the environment they depend on is preserved.
Now is the time for the public to act. This is our one chance to ensure that a decade of slaughter-free management becomes decades more of compassionate, sustainable stewardship for the Kaimanawa wild horses.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Rehome a horse through Kaimanawa Heritage Horses. The horses cost $250, plus transport (capped at $300). if you have stockyards you can tame it yourself, or standard height fencing is sufficient if it goes to a trainer for initial handling (trainers range in price from $1500 - $2500 for 4 to 10 weeks of handling, and a $1000 KLF Initial Handling Subsidy is available to help with costs).
• Donate an item or service to our KLF Charity Auction – Anything from accommodation vouchers, to hospitality andtourism experiences, art and photography prints,educational workshops, adventure experiences. Email [email protected] with a bio and photo of the item you would like to donate.
• Donate to the 100 Kaimanawa Horses - 100 Day project through Givealittle: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/100-wild-kaimanawa-horses-100-days-100-lives-saved
• Donate to the KLF Initial Handling Subsidy through Givealittle: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/save-a-wild-kaimanawa-from-the-2025-muster?fbclid=IwY2xjawJIR7RleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeTu2lqo-M8Y5UG9_qS9K5sqOnriDxQ4g3ZLgffj8fDioNiqPxhxbl9b5Q_aem_5OulnDaDIBkp-FlQEGC5_w
• Donate to the KLF Bank Account:
Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation Board
12-3659-0111060-00
