Sheep-drovers, horses & dogs

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

Pictorial story about sheep-drovers and their horses and dogs

Drovers, Sheep, Horses, Sheep dogs, Farming, East Coast, Gisborne, Waioeka Gorge, Whakatane, Rotorua

This pictorial story is a homage to those drovers who travelled throughout NZ herding sheep. Amongst them was a family friend who'd journey with his horse and dogs from the East Coast through the Waioeka Gorge to Ōpōtiki and onwards to Rotorua and over the Mamaku ranges to the Waikato. Another was a former colleague who drove sheep with her husband from Gisborne to Whakatāne. You can also read about the lifestyle of the drovers who were interviewed for the book by Ruth Enwhistle Low (2014), "On the hoof: the untold story of the drovers of New Zealand" (Auckland; Penguin) - excerpts can be viewed on Google Books.

Image: In the North Island sheep country: a typical droving scene in the east coast district

In the North Island sheep country: a typical droving scene in the east coast district

Auckland Libraries

Image: Unidentified drover with his horse, location unknown

Unidentified drover with his horse, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep dog

Sheep dog

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Drovers rest their horses and dogs

Drovers rest their horses and dogs

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Exhausted while on trek

Exhausted while on trek

Auckland Libraries

Image: Country Calendar - Billy Riddell, Drover

Country Calendar - Billy Riddell, Drover

NZ On Screen

Image: Droving

Droving

Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago

Image: Unidentified drover resting on a rock with his sheepdogs beside him, location unknown

Unidentified drover resting on a rock with his sheepdogs beside him, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mamaku: drovers' hut (1)

Mamaku: drovers' hut (1)

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

East Coast & Waioeka Gorge

Image: North Island, New Zealand [electronic resource].

North Island, New Zealand [electronic resource].

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Sheep droving at Waihau Bay

Sheep droving at Waihau Bay

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Picturesque scene on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand: driving sheep at Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty, to the freezing works at Whakatane

Picturesque scene on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand: driving sheep at Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty, to the freezing works at Whakatane

Auckland Libraries

Image: Drovers and sheep, East Coast

Drovers often found the beach easier terrain than the hill country

Drovers and sheep, East Coast

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Food for our soldiers: sheep on the way to the freezing works at Poverty Bay, on the East Coast of the Auckland Province

Food for our soldiers: sheep on the way to the freezing works at Poverty Bay, on the East Coast of the Auckland Province

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep crossing a bridge, Huiarua Station, Gisborne district

Sheep crossing a bridge, Huiarua Station, Gisborne district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep crossing river at Waipare Station

Sheep crossing river at Waipare Station

Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago

Image: Droving, Gisborne hill country

Droving, Gisborne hill country

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: East Coast trip.

East Coast trip.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Sheep-farming in the North Island of New Zealand: mustering on an East Coast station

Sheep-farming in the North Island of New Zealand: mustering on an East Coast station

Auckland Libraries

Image: The Need For The East Coast Railway

The Need For The East Coast Railway

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep on the move on the East Coast

Sheep on the move on the East Coast

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep droving at Mangapouri

Sheep droving at Mangapouri

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Driving sheep on Takapau station, Waipiro Bay, East Cape-farm scene

Driving sheep on Takapau station, Waipiro Bay, East Cape-farm scene

Auckland Libraries

Image: Stock truck and stock drover

Stock truck and stock drover

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Sheep on the move in the North and South Islands: summer droving scenes in Auckland and Otago provinces

Sheep on the move in the North and South Islands: summer droving scenes in Auckland and Otago provinces

Auckland Libraries

Image: In The Country Where Bridges Are Unknown

In The Country Where Bridges Are Unknown

Auckland Libraries

Image: Life on the open road: typical New Zealand drovers on an East Coast route, North Island

Life on the open road: typical New Zealand drovers on an East Coast route, North Island

Auckland Libraries

Image: Droving sheep, Waioeka Gorge

Droving sheep, Waioeka Gorge

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Droving sheep near Awakeri, 1924.

Droving sheep near Awakeri, 1924.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep Droving on the East Coast of Auckland Province

Sheep Droving on the East Coast of Auckland Province

Auckland Libraries

Image: 2,600 sheep on the road, Waioeka Gorge, after a 60 mile drive

2,600 sheep on the road, Waioeka Gorge, after a 60 mile drive

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Wealth from the Poverty Bay District, East Coast of the North Island: sheep on the way from Gisborne to Rotorua

Wealth from the Poverty Bay District, East Coast of the North Island: sheep on the way from Gisborne to Rotorua

Auckland Libraries

Image: SHEEP-DROVING IN NEW ZEALAND: A BIG FLOCK ON THE ROAD NEAR OPOTIKI, BAY OF PLENTY

SHEEP-DROVING IN NEW ZEALAND: A BIG FLOCK ON THE ROAD NEAR OPOTIKI, BAY OF PLENTY

Auckland Libraries

Rotorua and Mamaku area

Image: Sheep droving in the Rotorua district: watering the horses at a wayside stream

Sheep droving in the Rotorua district: watering the horses at a wayside stream

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep on the road outside Rotorua

Sheep on the road outside Rotorua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep-droving in the Auckland province: a scene on the road in the Rotorua thermal region

Sheep-droving in the Auckland province: a scene on the road in the Rotorua thermal region

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep on the road in the Rotorua District, North Island: a large flock passing through the Mamaku Bush on the way to market

Sheep on the road in the Rotorua District, North Island: a large flock passing through the Mamaku Bush on the way to market

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep on the road outside Rotorua

Sheep on the road outside Rotorua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: East Coast trip.

East Coast trip.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Droving part of mob of 45,000

Droving part of mob of 45,000

Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Image: Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Old house, SH5, Mamaku, Rotorua District, New Zealand

Old house, SH5, Mamaku, Rotorua District, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Old cabin, Mamaku, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Other North Island locations

Image: Sheep being driven down Queen Street

Sheep being driven down Queen Street

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Drovers, scows and stock at Whitianga

Drovers, scows and stock at Whitianga

Auckland Libraries

Image: Changing pastures: an unusual sheep-droving scene from the North Auckland district

Changing pastures: an unusual sheep-droving scene from the North Auckland district

Auckland Libraries

Image: On The Long Trail: Sheep-Droving In New Zealand

On The Long Trail: Sheep-Droving In New Zealand

Auckland Libraries

Image: Along the dusty highway: sheep-droving in the Waikato District, North Island of New Zealand

Along the dusty highway: sheep-droving in the Waikato District, North Island of New Zealand

Auckland Libraries

Image: Spring-time in New Zealand: a North Island droving scene on the road between Whatawhata and Raglan

Spring-time in New Zealand: a North Island droving scene on the road between Whatawhata and Raglan

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep- Droving During Winter in the King Country

Sheep- Droving During Winter in the King Country

Auckland Libraries

Image: Droving on the shores of Lake Taupo

Droving on the shores of Lake Taupo

Auckland Libraries

Image: At The Journey's End

At The Journey's End

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep droving

Sheep droving

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep Droving, Hawke's Bay

Sheep Droving, Hawke's Bay

MTG Hawke's Bay

Image: Sheep Droving

Sheep Droving

MTG Hawke's Bay

Image: Sheep Droving

Sheep Droving

MTG Hawke's Bay

Image: Sheep drovers, Mangaorapa, Hawke's Bay

Sheep drovers, Mangaorapa, Hawke's Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: SHEEP DROVING AT FERNHILL. HAWKE'S BAY

SHEEP DROVING AT FERNHILL. HAWKE'S BAY

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep droving on a 'beach highway' in the North Island

Sheep droving on a 'beach highway' in the North Island

Auckland Libraries

Image: A drover and his flock on the Moawhango Road

A drover and his flock on the Moawhango Road

Auckland Libraries

Image: Drovers Meet on A King Country Road: Cattle Passing Through A Mob of Sheep At Matapuna Bridge: Near Taumarunui

Drovers Meet on A King Country Road: Cattle Passing Through A Mob of Sheep At Matapuna Bridge: Near Taumarunui

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep on the Feilding-Awahuri Road, 1904

Sheep on the Feilding-Awahuri Road, 1904

Palmerston North City Library

Image: "Annual Trek for Ewes"

"Annual Trek for Ewes"

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Sheep Droving In New Zealand

Sheep Droving In New Zealand

Auckland Libraries

Image: Droving sheep on a highway, Wairarapa

Droving sheep on a highway, Wairarapa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep and drover on the Parapara Road to Wanganui, from Raetihi

Sheep and drover on the Parapara Road to Wanganui, from Raetihi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep in Main Street, Eketahuna

Sheep in Main Street, Eketahuna

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Coopers' and Drovers' Bar, Cannons Creek Tavern, Cannons Creek

Coopers' and Drovers' Bar, Cannons Creek Tavern, Cannons Creek

Alexander Turnbull Library

South Island

Image: Droving sheep

Droving sheep

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Life on the Open Road: A Sheep Drover Well Known To Overland Travellers in the South Island

Life on the Open Road: A Sheep Drover Well Known To Overland Travellers in the South Island

Auckland Libraries

Image: A Day in the Life of a New Zealand Drover: Pictures from the Great Sheep-Raising Country of Marlborough, South Island

A Day in the Life of a New Zealand Drover: Pictures from the Great Sheep-Raising Country of Marlborough, South Island

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep drover, Kaikoura coast

Sheep drover, Kaikoura coast

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Working dog rounding up sheep, Mount Cook Station

Working dog rounding up sheep, Mount Cook Station

South Canterbury Museum

Image: Lake Ohau, Central Otago, showing a group of men with Vauxhall Velox car and Tekapo bus, beside a drovers cabin on tussock ground, with snow covered mountains and creek beyond

Lake Ohau, Central Otago, showing a group of men with Vauxhall Velox car and Tekapo bus, beside a drovers cabin on tussock ground, with snow covere...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Acheron Accomodation House (c.1863) (2)

Acheron Accomodation House (c.1863) (2)

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Old house, Tinwald, Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand

Old house, Tinwald, Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Life on the road

Image: Unidentified drovers drinking tea and eating bread during smoko break on rural roadside, including car [Leo White's Austin 7?] and cart in background, location unknown

Unidentified drovers drinking tea and eating bread during smoko break on rural roadside, including car [Leo White's Austin 7?] and cart in backgrou...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Newspaper

DRIVERS' AND SHEPHERDS' INDUSTRIAL UNION. (Ashburton Guardian, 13 July 1909)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Unidentified drovers resting [smoko?] on a rural roadside, including cart, horse and flock of sheep, location unknown

Unidentified drovers resting [smoko?] on a rural roadside, including cart, horse and flock of sheep, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Newspaper

DRIVERS AND DROVERS (Evening Post, 17 September 1925)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Herding sheep

Herding sheep

Howick Historical Village

Image: Cheslyn Rise - Stocks and Paddocks

Cheslyn Rise - Stocks and Paddocks

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: A drover with his horses and dogs near Tokomaru Bay

A drover with his horses and dogs near Tokomaru Bay

Auckland Libraries

Image: Waikato drover follows his flock in a rubber-tyred sulky

Waikato drover follows his flock in a rubber-tyred sulky

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep droving in the Tokomaru Bay District, North Island

Sheep droving in the Tokomaru Bay District, North Island

Auckland Libraries

Image: Sheep Droving Under Difficulties

Sheep Droving Under Difficulties

Auckland Libraries

Image: Flock of sheep being driven along riverbank by sheepdogs and a drover on a horse, location unknown

Flock of sheep being driven along riverbank by sheepdogs and a drover on a horse, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rural scene, featuring flock of sheep on riverbank and including drovers with sheepdogs, location unknown

Rural scene, featuring flock of sheep on riverbank and including drovers with sheepdogs, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep droving

Sheep droving

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Flock of sheep and lambs being driven along rural road beside river valley, including native forest, drover, and sheepdogs, location unknown

Flock of sheep and lambs being driven along rural road beside river valley, including native forest, drover, and sheepdogs, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Flock of sheep on rural road, including drover, horse, and powerlines, location unknown

Flock of sheep on rural road, including drover, horse, and powerlines, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Flock of sheep on rural road with drover on horse, location unknown

Flock of sheep on rural road with drover on horse, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Droving sheep

Droving sheep

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Car on a country road, surrounded by a drover's sheep

Car on a country road, surrounded by a drover's sheep

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Horse and cart behind flock of sheep being driven along a rural road, including sheepdog, drover, and river valley in background, location unknown

Horse and cart behind flock of sheep being driven along a rural road, including sheepdog, drover, and river valley in background, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Motoring Party And A Drove of Sheep Held Up While A Broken Culvert Is Repaired

Motoring Party And A Drove of Sheep Held Up While A Broken Culvert Is Repaired

Auckland Libraries

Audio

Spectrum 699. Droving days and stockman ways

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Image: Old time drovers who helped shape our nation

Old time drovers who helped shape our nation

Radio New Zealand

Image: A welcome break in the day's journey: sheep-drovers enjoy a lunch-time spell off the road

A welcome break in the day's journey: sheep-drovers enjoy a lunch-time spell off the road

Auckland Libraries

Artworks

Image: Drover & Dog

Drover & Dog

Feilding Library

Image: Richard Wallwork - The Drover

Richard Wallwork - The Drover

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Image: King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Cattle droving South Westland New Zealand [ca 1950].

King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Cattle droving South Westland New Zealand [ca 1950].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Sheep droving in New Zealand. [1950s].

King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Sheep droving in New Zealand. [1950s].

Alexander Turnbull Library

This DigitalNZ story was updated in March 2025