We, (Anne and Neil) started Fairhaven Alpacas in 2010. We moved from the UK in 2008 and found this property in Temuka with 4+ acres. We went to an Open Day at an alpaca farm and fell in love immediately with these beautiful, inquisitive creatures and decided this is what we wanted on our property.
Like many small scale suri breeders we started with a few gorgeous pet boys. In our case huacaya alpacas. The breeders we bought from were so generous with their advice, support and guidance. In 2010 we bought 3 suri males and later that year we knew our hobby needed to take the next step towards breeding these highly inquisitive/intelligent animals. A full fleeced lustrous suri in flight, shimmering like silk in the sunlight is a truly stunning sight. We purchased the adjoining block to our house and now have over 7 acres.
We started our foundation herd purchasing some high quality females after the National Show in 2010 together with a share in Surico Onedin the 2010 National Supreme Champion. Our first crop of cria bred at Fairhaven arrived in 2013 and have been highly successful in the show ring. We are proud to have bred the 2014 National Breed and Fleece Supreme Champions together with a further National Age Champion and 2 further National Colour Champions. We also bred Fairhaven Jaeger whose fleece was awarded National Supreme Champion Suri Fleece in 2015
Why are we called Fairhaven? it's a very special place in the UK, near my home town, that meant so much to my parents who are no longer with us. A picture in the header is daybreak over our farm - so Fairhaven isn't such a bad name!