ARAPAWA is a merino-related sheep introduced, at some point long ago, on a tiny island off the coast of New Zealand.  Possibly it was a whaling ship that deposited them there or, as rumor has it, the famous Captain Cook. Left for centuries to their own devices, the sheep evolved into a hardy, feral breed, even shedding their wool in warmer weather as other primitive breeds do.

The sheep have curling horns and are sometimes spotted. They come in rich shades of brown, black, gray and creamy white. Their natural color variation and blended fleeces make a warm brown, tweedy yarn. Arapawa wool is unusually soft, with a dry and almost weightless, lofty hand.