Kune Kune Fact Sheet
The kune kune pig is New Zealand's very own unique pig. Kune kune (pronounced Cooney Cooney) fatten and grow well on little more than a subsistence diet and were highly prized by the Maoris because they did not roam and because of the quality and quantity of their fat and meat. Fat is the traditional food preserving medium for Polynesian races rather than salt and brine as used in Europe. The name kune kune was given by the Maoris and described the shape of the pig's body (meaning fat and round).
Although the kune kune' origin is unclear it seems that it has a long association with the Maori people, possibly even dating from the arrival of our country's earliest Polynesian immigrants who may have obtained the, from Asia where there are pigs with tassles (a distinctive characteristic of the kune kune).
Until recently their numbers in New Zealand were extremely low and there was a distinct possibility that they would become extinct. Thanks to a few "rare breeds" fanatics 10 sows and 4 boars were brought to the South Island, bred from and spread around to other breeders. These pigs have never been wild and should not be confused with the Captain Cooker pig which have long snouts, are bigger and run wild. kune kune have always been domesticated.
The kune kune pig is smaller than other breeds. They have a short turned-up snout and have pire pire (tassles) hanging from their lower jaw (about 4cm long) this being one of the most obvious and distinctive features of the kune kune. But not all purebreds have tassels. Their legs are short and their bodies are short and round. The colour range includes: black, black and white, white, gold, tan and brown.
Temperament-wise they are delightful, being placid and very friendly and thrive on human company.
The great value of this little pig is that it grazes and fattens on grass alone, needing to be fed only during the winter months in Southland. They like crushed or soaked grain, spuds or anything at all. Household scraps may, in fact, be all that is required in winter. Some Kune-Kunes root the ground in winter and it is a simple matter (if a noisy one!) to insert a loop of lacing wire into the top of the snout or a ring (adult pigs only) to stop this habit. Kune kune make excellent lawnmowers for your orchard as they do not harm trees and shrubs. When feed is short the kune kunes can be kept in their paddock with an electric fence a few inches off the ground, board fence or netting fence with barbed wire attached to it at the bottom. It is not recommended that these little pigs be kept in a sty and fattened on grain as they become too fat and are slower to mature. But they do need a small shed or a drum to shelter them from the wet and cold. losses from pneumonia will occur if this is not provided. Initially you may put some hay into their shed but they will soon make their own nest.
Kune kunes should be wormed in a similar way to sheep and can be drenched using sheep drench. Injectable Ivomec clears up their skin parasites and controls worms too. Selenium is essential and a little bit on a piece of bread for each pig is the easiest way to administer it, or topdress your pasture with selenium prills.
Boars become ferile at 6-7 months. Gilts can get pregnant as early as 5 months but it is recommended that they should not be mated until they are at least one year old, giving them time to grow. Infertility is rare but is sometimes caused by boars and sows being too fat. If a male and female are brought up together they may not mate until they have been separartyed for a couple of weeks and put back together again - they might think they are brother and sister. Litter numbers vary considerably. The piglets require access to a heat lamp in colder weathere for best results. Piglets can be weaned at six weeks and the sow mated again after about a week of weaning from her piglets. Gestation is 3 months, three weeks and three days, as in other breeds of pigs.
Kune kunes have an excellent ratio of meat to fat. The nicest pork is that of a pig killed before it is one year old. Kune-Kunes are considered by many to be nicer eating than the faster grown commercial pig.
Southern Kune Kune Breeders Assn
This group was formed in January 1987 and was the first such organisation for the kune kune in New Zealand. Each year we hold several field days and a show in conjunction with other rare breeds groups. Our aim is to preserve and promote the Kune-Kune. Membership is $5 to the secretary - [address].*.
New Zealand Kune Kune Breeders Assn
This group handles the registration of kune kunes, and holds an annual show in different parts of New Zealand. Southern Kune Kune Breeders Assn ran it in 1988 at Balfour. In 1989** it is to be in Christchurch in May.
