can be traced back to those first merinos imported by the Shennan brothers in the 1860’s.

Matangi’s Stud was established in 1940 with the purchase of sheep from the dispersal of the Puketoi stud originally registered by Watson Shennan.

Mr J C Sanders purchased 107 ewes and 3 rams from Grace Shennan who was Watson’s daughter and bought them onto Matangi.  Some of Puketoi’s stud’s original sheep came from the King of Prussia’s stud in Saxony in 1862,  15 rams and 27 ewes from the King’s Potsdam stud where purchased at vast cost 2000 pounds. This improved the flock greatly.  

Our breeding criteria is to produce large framed sheep with stylish, bright, soft handling wool. Staple length, even crimp, wool weight and conformation are  important traits in the selection of our sheep.  Only the most impressive rams with these criteria become sires.

Rams are sold privately from March onwards.  New enquires are always welcome.