Ponui donkey

Ponui donkeys are New Zealand’s only feral donkey breed. The feral herd is established on Ponui Island in the Hauraki Gulf, east of Auckland. They are descendants of three animals imported from Australia in the 1880s by the Chamberlin family, who obtained title to the island in 1854.

Ponui donkeys are mostly light grey in color, with a darker dorsal stripe, and stand about ten hands (one meter) high.

In recent years a number have been brought to the mainland and rare breeds enthusiasts are currently trying to build up a viable, genetically pure population of these sturdily built and docile donkeys.