150 Years Since The First Discovery Of Kaimanawa Heritage Horses To Be Commemorated With A Bronze Sculpture

March 15, 2026 marks 150 years since the first discovery of Kaimanawa Heritage horses with a bronze sculpture planned to commemorate the sesquicentennial.

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society are fundraising to commission esteemed artist Matt Gauldie to sculpt a larger than life, bronze Kaimanawa stallion to be sited in Waiouru, next to the National Army Museum on State Highway One. Elder Jenks (QSM), KHHWS Patron hopes that by commemorating the horses with a sculpture that the “public will also be educated about the Kaimanawa’s ongoing plight and the need to re-home the horses that are mustered every year”.

The sculpture also intends to honour the profound contribution horses made to New Zealand’s early development from when they first arrived in the country just over 200 years ago. Kaimanawa Heritage horses are descended from a mix of horse breeds and are symbolic of the early horses who were a vital part of developing New Zealand transport, agriculture, industry, communication, recreation and public services.

Matt Gauldie who sculpted the much loved War Horse Memorial Sculpture in Hamilton says many New Zealander’s have beautiful stories to tell about adopting Kaimanawa horses but he’s also lucky to have a special connection to the horses. Matt was the Official New Zealand Army Artist from 2004 until 2015 and also enlisted in the Army. While training in the military zone in Waiouru where the horses live Matt experienced the special bond that is formed between the soldiers and the Kaimanawas from living alongside each other. Matt’s idea for the sculpture comes from a poignant memory. While on a platoon march he remembers being watched from high up on a hill by a single, alert and inquisitive stallion who was majestically watching out for the mares and foals. Sadly, several of Matt’s fellow soldiers have died in the line of duty so he intends for this sculpture to “also be a personal memorial to the fallen soldiers from my Army iwi”

Currently a minimum of $50,000 is urgently needed if the planned official public unveiling date in early December 2026 is to be met. KHH are still seeking a major sponsor but would also be appreciative of any donations from the public, no matter how big or small.

While travelling through the Kaimanawa Ranges on March 15, 1876, Moawhango landowner Robert Batley wrote in his diary “saw tracks of stray horses on the range, was at the head of Moawhango, also at the head of one of Rangitīkei streams.”. The entry although unassuming is historically significant. This was the first documented evidence of the Kaimanawa Heritage horses existence. One hundred years later, in the 1970’s, Robert Batley’s grandson, Tony Batley, worked tirelessly to save the Kaimanawas from near extinction. He said “I guess horses have served men for many hundreds of years and some of us feel that there should be places where they can roam free.”

New Zealand academics and historians such as Professor Tom Brooking have lamented the “unsatisfactory level of understanding of the horse’s key role in our history”. The Kaimanawas are the last significant remnant of historic free ranging horses in New Zealand and they have had a continuous presence in an unmanaged landscape for 150 years.

In 2025, the United Nations General Assembly declared for the first time that July 11 would be “World Horse Day” to celebrate the role of horses and to tackle the challenges they face.

KHH are grateful to have received support from mana whenua, Ngati Rangi for the sculpture to be installed on such an outstanding site. KHH are also grateful to have received grants from the Ruapehu District Council and support from Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board, DOC, NZDF, and the National Army Museum.

The sculpture will be elevated on a picturesque tussocky knoll providing good visibility for drivers travelling in both directions. For those wanting to stop and enjoy a selfie or learn more about the horses and history, the sculpture will be accompanied by an interpretation panel and park bench.

To date KHH have re-homed over 1500 horses. The mustered horses are highly intelligent and adaptable. They can be trained in every activity and discipline of horse sports frequently ending up in Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs, Equestrian Centres, Trekking businesses, Riding for the disabled, and even therapy organisations. They compete in dressage, jumping and eventing, in fact, every discipline except for thoroughbred racing.

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