The Fatter & Hairier the Better: Kunekune Pig

These dumpy, hairy pigs are Kunekune Pigs; domesticated piggies that are believed to have descended from an Asian domestic breed introduced to New Zealand in the early 19th century by whalers or traders. It has a short, round body with short legs and two tassels (called piri piri) under its chin and comes in a variety of colors including black, brown, ginger, gold and spotted combinations.The native Māori people of New Zealand adopted kunekune: the word kunekune means “fat and round” in the Māori language. They have a very calm, friendly nature and are commonly kept as pets nowadays.

However, in the 1980s only an estimated 50 purebred Kunekune pigs remained. Michael Willis and John Simister, wildlife-park owners, started a breeding recovery program, which in turn encouraged other recovery efforts. As of 2010^[update] the breed no longer faces extinction, with breed societies in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.