About New Zealand
New Zealand is ‘Te Whenua o Aotearoa’, the land of the long white cloud. Aotearoa is the iconic and widely used name for New Zealand and is commonly taken to mean “the land of the long white cloud’. Its literal translation would be 'long white cloud'. ‘Ao’ meaning cloud, ‘tea’ meaning white, ‘roa’ meaning long.
Maori arrived in New Zealand in the 10th Century after a long sea voyage from Hawaiki. Maori legend tells the story of Kupe a voyager and navigator who set out from Hawaiki with a group in two waka (canoes), Matahorua and Tawiri-rangi. After a long voyage Kupe’s wife Hine-te-aparangi noticed a cloud and called out “He ao, He ao!” (“A cloud, A cloud!”), “He aotea!” (“A white cloud!”), “He aotearoa!” (A long white cloud!). The sighting of the long white cloud was the first indication that land was near and Kupe named the land after Hine-te-aparangi’s call.
This story has many versions, all of which are true to those that tell it. One that I like is here, which tells a story about Kupe and his companions chasing an octopus, that led them to Aotearoa.
Another version of how Aotearoa came to be named is that Hine-te-aparangi noticed an ‘Aotea’ which is a type of cloud that indicates land is present (probably a long bank of cumulus cloud). Roa meaning long, can also mean a length of time. So one translation is that “It has been a long time since seeing a cloud that indicates land”
Regardless of its origins Aotearoa is widely related to by most New Zealander’s as one of the names of their country. New Zealander’s are often called ‘kiwis’ after the country’s national bird shown here:
Aotearoa Alpacas is named as we are a New Zealand Stud, breeding alpacas for a fibre industry and we intend to appeal to any and all New Zealanders. Alpacas are fast becoming a lifestyle of choice for New Zealander’s and we intend to be a supplier of that lifestyle.
Aotearoa Alpacas, also meaning long white cloud alpacas is indicative of the imagery that Alpaca’s provide on the New Zealand landscape. Where traditionally sheep have been an iconic image of rural New Zealand; alpacas with their bright fleece and long necks are featuring more and more prominently in the country side.
White alpacas is the predominant trend and where the finer fleece is more commonly found and we hope to build up a herd of low micron, dense, white, quality huacaya alpacas.
Clouds do however come in many hues especially given the changeable NZ weather and likewise our herd will not be limited to white alpacas only. We also intend to breed Suri Alpacas.
More information about New Zealand can be found here.
