In 2006, Sue and Barry Bishop purchased a lifestyle block in North Canterbury. The olives that were planted have been removed and the land resown in pasture grass.

The first alpacas arrived after farm open days introduced us to these wonderful animals, two white wethers.

After attending local A&P Shows, a decision was made to introduce three Black females and commence a breeding program to produce Black Huacaya Alpacas, improving density, fineness and structure through selective breeding.

It was obvious in 2008 that the genetic pool in the South Island was very limited and so started a search for new genetics and breeding males for our females.

A chance meeting with Ian and Carol Earle from the Warramunga Downs Stud in Geelong, Australia, introduced us to the proven lines from their multiple champion Warramunga Downs Paladin. Ian and Carol brought 20 years breeding experience with a specific focus on Black Huacaya and allowed us to purchase two males from their breeding program.

Already, Warramunga Downs Kalarni is showing that these genetic choices will provide a significant improvement to our breeding program with Belise Paco Rabanne judged Champion Black Huacaya at the 2013 South Island Colourbration Show.

We continue to look for improvement in our planned breeding, carefully selecting matings that combine the attributes of the dam with that of the sire to provide the building blocks for the future of the Black Alpacas in New Zealand.