New Zealand Cashmere is owned by Southern Otago farmers David & Robyn Shaw. Starting the herd in 1985 from 50 multicoloured feral does and 3 subsequent feral flock purchases they have constantly improved their animals. Those initial animals have been combined with outside bloodlines screened from tens of thousands of feral goats with naturally resilient qualities. The aim has always been to produce the most exquisite cashmere. The New Zealand goat industry grew rapidly at first, but by the 1990’s a number of factors had triggered the industry into collapse and decline.

The silver lining from this event was large numbers of goats and whole flocks became available. This has streamlined the Shaw’s cashmere development program. Through this period a number of prominent flocks and leading blood lines were acquired and introduced. Some of these flocks were populated by selections derived from apex breeding programs, which stemmed from tens of thousands of goats across New Zealand and Australia. From this diverse genetic base and with the careful and deliberate selection of sires, thousands of kids have been born over multiple generations. This has elevated the New Zealand Cashmere flock to a new level of animal capable of producing world class fibre.

Selected for style, cover and downweight the New Zealand Cashmere flock produces pure white cashmere in the 12 to 17 micron range. New Zealand Cashmere goats are integrated into an intensive 400 hectare beef and sheep finishing business where they have to be produce kids and fibre, whilst remaining low input, sound and healthy. All New Zealand Cashmere goats are recorded and fibre tested. The 2017 shearing produced a doe flock average of 16.2 microns and doe hoggets (10 months old) of 14.6 microns. The leading does are producing over 300g of down and two kids a year. The company has placed a particular emphasis on very even total cover, excellent fibre definition, fibre length and density, body conformation and structural soundness.

Continuing New Zealand’s legacy and heritage of cutting edge farming New Zealand Cashmere believes there is an opportunity to further develop unique fibre attributes and significantly continue to grow cashmere down weights. With over 35 years’ experience of farming goats with persistence, tenacity and passion New Zealand Cashmere has developed a world class flock.