Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits!
Rabbits were brought to New Zealand from Australia in the 1830s so people could use them for food, fur, and hunting. During the Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s, miners and their families ate rabbit meat, which they called “underground mutton.”
But rabbits didn’t stay helpful for long. They started to eat so much grass that there wasn’t enough left for sheep and other animals. Farmers quickly realized that rabbits were becoming a big problem! Just one rabbit could eat as much grass as a fully grown sheep.
Farmers tried lots of ways to control the growing number of rabbits. They hired people called “rabbiters” to trap or shoot or poison them. For some people, all these rabbits actually created new jobs. In the 1880s, factories were set up in places like Alexandra to can rabbit meat and send it to other countries. During the war, canned rabbit meat was sent to soldiers when there wasn’t enough beef or lamb to go around.
Rabbit skins were also useful. By 1893, over 17 million rabbit skins were sent to the United Kingdom to be made into things like gloves, hats, and coats!
If you want to learn more about the history of rabbits in Central Otago, listen to some locals tell their stories about the ups and downs of living with so many rabbits.
Listen to what locals have to say about rabbits …
When did rabbits come to New Zealand and Central Otago? (3.09 min)
The English rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were introduced near Bluff in 1862, the same year gold was discovered in Otago. By 1866, rabbits had reached Earnscleugh Station, and by 1876, much of Otago and Southland was either infested or significantly affected. Their population growth was staggering—by 1906, Moutere Station alone had more than 80,000 rabbits! Farmers were faced with a serious problem.
During the Gold Rush in the 1860s, miners and their families ate rabbit meat, which they called “underground mutton.”
Farmers declare war on rabbits (3.27 mins)
The battle against the plague of rabbits unleashed a creative yet deadly arsenal of control techniques. In the early days, the go-to methods were trapping and shooting — and with that, the new job of ‘rabbiter’ was born. On large stations, up to ten men would be employed to trap and shoot rabbits. After World War II, the New Zealand government set up Rabbit Boards, employing hundreds of workers who worked in gangs to poison, gas, trap and shoot rabbits.
Growing up with rabbits (4.54 mins)
Keeping rabbit numbers down was often a family affair. Children earned pocket money by selling rabbit skins to local factories. Rabbiting was also a common activity during the school holidays. It provided a great way for young people to learn about farming, get exercise and make some money.
Man’s best friend helping out with rabbit control (2.22 mins)
Dogs played a crucial role in rabbit control across Central Otago, becoming a rabbiter’s best friend. Skilled rabbit dogs were trained to flush rabbits from burrows, chase them down, or retrieve them after a shot. In the heyday of rabbiting, teams of men and their dogs worked the land for days at a time, driving rabbits into nets or toward waiting shooters. Even today, well-trained dogs remain valuable for controlling rabbit populations on farms and conservation land. Some rabbiters employed by the Rabbit Boards were even paid to care for their dogs. But it was dangerous work – dogs had to be trained not to eat poisoned rabbits!
Making money from rabbits (3.01 mins)
While rabbits were certainly a nuisance, they also became a valuable resource for many families, especially during times of economic hardship. By 1893, over 17 million rabbit skins were sent to the United Kingdom to be made into items like gloves, hats, and coats.
During the Depression (1929-1939), the rabbit meat and skin industries served as a vital lifeline, with rabbit canning factories set up in the Maniatoto, Alexandra, and Cromwell processing thousands of rabbits daily for export. The income generated from rabbits came to a screeching halt after World War II when the government decided that eradication was the only solution to the pest problem and banned the sale of rabbit meat and skins.
Rabbits today (1.48mins)
These days, you don’t have to go far in Central Otago to spot signs of rabbits. Piles of droppings and rabbit holes are clear giveaways! They’re still a nuisance for farmers and even people living in towns. Despite years of effort, we still don’t have a safe and effective way to keep the numbers down. It seems rabbits are here to stay.
Image library
Rabbits make themselves at home in Central Otago
Look at the damage rabbits can do! One rabbit can eat as much grass as a sheep
Rabbit meat for dinner! You can see this old tin at Central Stories
In 1883 nearly 10 million rabbit skins were shipped to Britain
Rabbit meat canning factor in Alexandra (1919)
Did you know …
How many rabbits can a rabbit make? Heaps!
One female rabbit can have up to 45 baby rabbits in one year. A female rabbit is called a doe and a male rabbit is called a buck.
How to measure if you have a rabbit problem
Count the metres between buck heaps (piles of male rabbit poo). If there are 2-3 buck heaps within 5 metres over a large area – you have a problem. Read more about the Modified McLean Scale here
Rabbit for dinner
Today, Rabbit casserole is a special dish in France. Back during the Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s, miners called rabbits ‘underground mutton’.
Teachers and Educators
NZ Schools Curriculum – Years 1–4
About This Resource
This resource has been developed by the Central Otago Heritage Trust to support the teaching and learning about Central Otago’s history. It is designed for use with students in Years 1–4 (ages 5–8).
Voices About Our Past
Through listening to stories and memories of people who have ” been there and done that” students will gain an appreciation of history as a continuous narrative, evolving as new evidence emerges through research. Traditionally, history has been recorded by those who documented their experiences. Oral histories can add a rich dimension to historical research, highlighting diverse perspectives of past events. These personal accounts encourage learners to appreciate the perspectives of others, fostering a stronger sense of identity and place within Central Otago today.
