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| Wild pig skin at beginning of one of Coromandel's forests - photo 2015 Chris Ball |
Tales of encounters
with wandering wild pigs, on the Coromandel tracks and roads winding through
the ranges of this rugged region of New Zealand. An ideal territory for wild pigs in the wilds of the beautiful
bush of the Coromandel
State Forest Park . Also the Coromandel
pine Forestry Plantations owners who are usually members of the Forest Owners
Association NZ too.
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| Pig hunting territory Wharekawa ,Whangamata, Whiritoa area - photo 2015 Chris Ball |
Tales of a past time of those who worked and lived in the rural areas of New Zealand - time off to take the dogs and " head for the hills" pig hunting. A good day's hunting would give time out and if fortunate, bring food home for the family - roast poaka ( pig). The decades of pig hunting have seen the development of Pig Hunting Associations - three on the Coromandel belonging also to the NZ Pig Hunting Association - Whitianga, Coromandel and Peninsula pig hunting clubs. Pig hunters have also developed a relationship with the Department of Conservation and the pine Plantation Forestry blocks where their blocks are hunted in. Eight hunting blocks on public conservation land in this region of New Zealand, with wild pigs living in each block.
For many rural communities around New Zealand, pig hunting has become a way of life, even in 2021, for locals living in those rural places. T.H. Anderson working in the bush back forty years and reminiscing in the Press, 1900, on pig hunting wrote:-
" One good flood would often bring as much timber out in twenty-four hours as we would drag out in as many weeks. When we had-used up all we had got out, and might perhaps be waiting for a vessel to take it away; and before we had begun to drag in more from the bush, we might chance to get ,a holiday or perhaps it was too wet for the bullocks to work, for you cannot work bullocks in rainy weather, as you would soon knock them up with sore shoulders or broken, hoofs. We might, perhaps, get a day-off to go for a- pig hunt, and we would generally know a day or two beforehand, so that we could prepare our weapons, and by making inquiries among the bushmen, or some of the Maoris who might be visiting from other pahs, we could generally find out where were the most likely places to hit upon our game. Even the dogs soon knew there was something up, and you may be sure that there never were such good boys as we were just before the important day." ( Press, O3/03/1900)
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HUNTING WILD PIGS ON THE MOONIE.
THE ONLY TRE^ FOR HALF-A-MILE. From the Bulletin. courtesy National Library NZ Papers Past
Over the decades various newspapers have carried accounts of rural pig hunters and the lives of their rural families. Pig hunting competitions have developed in many communities and around the sixties a greased pig competition was a popular fundraiser. One older resident of Whangamata relates a tale of the Annual Labour Day markets at Whangamata held in the sixties with the popular " greased pig in a barrow" organised by the local fire brigade. Popularity of the " greased pig" has waned and groups such as SPCA, advocating possible stress on animals to be avoided. However pig hunting competitions around New Zealand continue - their strength in participation, rural community involvement and fund raising.
At the beginning of July 2021 the annual fund raiser for rural Hikuai school was held – the Hikuai School Pig Hunting Competition Fundraiser. Said to be very enjoyable this year. Unfortunately in 2020 New Zealand was in Covid 19 lockdown with pig hunting, community gatherings and schools closed down for several weeks. There was no Hikuai School Pig Hunting Competition in 2020.
There are tales of the 309 road on the Coromandel Peninsula, home of a wild pig haven. Over the years, under the protective Kaitiakitanga ( guardianship) of Stu Edmondson, this property has become a famous " must do" with domestic and overseas tourists. Braving the winding, metal, narrow road " wild pig haven" has become a stop off to spend time with the wild pigs.
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| Wild pig haven on the 309 Road, Coromandel Peninsula - photo 2009 courtesy Chris Ball |
Wild pig origins in New Zealand
Wild pigs were first introduced by French explorer Captain Jean François Marie de Surville. This, in 1769 when, it was said, two pigs were given to Maori at Doubtless Bay in Northland. Captain Cook was said to be the next explorer to have introduced pigs to the Marlborough Sound in 1773 and Queen Charlotte Sounds in 1777. Here a sow and a boar were gifted to the Maori Chief. Sealers, whalers and traders followed the explorers to New Zealand shores bartering and trading with Maori for food which involved pig and spread the pig breeds. Whalers are said to have introduced the breed of feral domestic pig known as Arapawa Island pig.
Wild pigs in 2021 also go by the names of Captain Cooker’, razorback, te poaka (the porker) or kune kune.
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| Pig hunting territory on the Coromandel - photo 2014 Chris Ball |
Wild Pig tales and poems of stormy times
Tales of wild Coromandel storms sweeping and lashing the bush and pine forestry plantations. Cold and heavy rain driving the odd wild pig from the hills down to the coasts and small rural communities. One such community – Whiritoa – back in 2008, was exposed to one medium size wild pig. Poems and writings on the episode appeared in the local monthly Whiritoa Tidings – the community galvanised into action and discussion. The following is a poem written from a wild pig’s perspective about this incident:
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| Historic Site re wild pig's journey |
The lightening did crack.
The poor wee pig turned up his bacon hocks,
And ran to save this pig’s porkers.
Pig knew not whether it was North or South
Nor which way was home that fateful day,
Only that home was best.
The bush was dark and creepy,
Pig ran past Morepork so sleepy.
He ran and ran
To where he thought home base began.
That is when pig got a shock
Poor pig did shiver and shook.
What was this strange bush he saw
Where were the ferns and kauri tall?
Along this strange stone bed he ran
Down to the sea and back again.
Which way to go to now?
Oh where was mother, the old sow?
Past some strange monsters blue
And yellow,
Piggy was really a sorry fella.
Tired, wet and hungry too.
Pig thought fern roots over there grew.
Into the bush glen piggy ran
Hoping for a snack again.
Imagine his horror and amazement
As strange noises from the glen did rent.
Pigs heart was all a flutter,
Pig’s bacon fair turned to butter.
Now pig really did have to run
This really was no fun.
Towards dusk piggy found home
Up in the hills of Whiritoa,
Hidden away in a small tomo
Were grunts and snorts,
Oh! No! As piggy related tales and did rave
Of this day he was so brave.
Thus ends another pig of a tale
And one that is written down.
For future generations to see,
The day that Whiritoa Pig came for tea.
© Anne Stewart Ball 2008
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| coastal wetlands and forest on Whiritoa hills - photo 2010 Chris Ball |
Reference Source:
- Davidson, J., 1984. The Prehistory of New Zealand. Longman Paul, Auckland
- C. M. H. Clarke & R. M. Dzieciolowski (1991) Feral pigs in the northern South Island, New Zealand: I. Origin, distribution, and density, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 21:3, 237-247, DOI: 10.1080/03036758.1991.10418181
- Beaglehole, J.C. (Editor), 1961. The journals of Captain James Cook on his voyage of discovery. The voyage of the Resolution and Adventure 1772-1775. Vol 2. Cambridge University Press, published for the Hakluyt Society.
- Dunmore, J., 1969. The Fateful Voyage of the St. Jean Baptiste. Pegasus Press, Christchurch
The Origins of Pig Breeds New Zealand Journal of Agriculture 15 October 1945 Page 391
- National Library NZ Papers Past Press 3 March 1900 Page 4 PIG HUNTING. A REMINISCENCE OF THE EARLY DAYS.
- NZ Pig Hunting Association NZ Pighunting Association | New Zealand Pighunting Association
- James Fagan History Blog
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