Our Journey into the World of Alpacas
We’re Leonie and Neville Walker, proud owners of Nevalea Alpacas, New Zealand’s largest alpaca farm. Our journey into the world of alpacas began in July 2007 with just two females and their cria (babies). What started as a small curiosity quickly grew into a full passion — today, we farm over 1,000 alpacas on our property in the scenic King Country, just 16 km north of Taumarunui along the adventure highway.
With a background in sheep and cattle studs, fibre and genetics have always been a shared interest for us. Alpacas naturally fit into our vision — gentle on the land, low-emission, and producers of one of the world’s finest fibres.
In 2011, we began offering visitors ‘The Ultimate Alpaca Experience’, where people can get up close to these amazing animals, hand feed them, take them for a walk, and even cuddle a baby alpaca. Our friendly team loves sharing knowledge, and these hands-on encounters offer amazing photo opportunities and lasting memories.
Nevalea Alpacas is committed to sustainable, low-impact farming. Alpacas are ideal for our land — their padded feet don’t damage pasture, and they produce minimal environmental emissions. Our farm includes 150 hectares of native bush that’s home to kiwi and other native wildlife. We continuously plant more trees to enhance biodiversity and provide shade and shelter for the alpacas.
Each year, starting in October, we shear our alpacas — a one-man operation led by Neville himself. The fibre is then transformed into beautiful garments and accessories, many of which are made right here on the farm using vintage hand-operated knitting machines. This keeps our carbon footprint low and our supply chain transparent.
Everything we create is proudly 100% New Zealand grown and made. At Nevalea Alpacas, we’re passionate about our animals, our land, and the people we meet. We look forward to sharing it all with you.
