Grand Reopening

Barn warming for alpacasNov 1st, 2016 | By Annette Taylor | Category: News


There was a right-proper shin-dig at Cornerstone Alpaca Stud recently with the official opening of their ‘new’ old barn.

“It is now a place where visitors can get close to, feed and hug an alpaca,” says manager Herman Van Niekerk. Renovations started in May and took four months to complete.
“The friendships that have been made and the personal touches from everybody that will live on through this old building means the world to us.”

Alpaca Cornerstone owners Dave and Sonja Blom have farmed alpacas since 2006 and began farm visits to their Peach Rd property in 2014, where they also provide information to potential farmers as well as sell alpacas and a range of alpaca products.

“We love our ‘new’ barn,” Dave told assembled guests last week.
“It will make it possible to stay dry and warm during the wet winter months. We can hold sessions inside and there is also a small fenced seating area outside where people can enjoy the alpacas in their natural habitat.”

Dave was elected as the president of the North Island Alpaca Association Committee just months ago. During the day he runs a dental practice in Rototuna and lives, sleeps and breaths alpaca in his spare time.

The Bloms met their first alpacas at the NZ Agricultural Fieldays, not long after arriving from South Africa in 2005. It was love at first sight. “We were fascinated by them. Like many other newcomers to alpacas, we undertook nearly a year of research, before taking the plunge and buying four pregnant females and a baby. There is something magical about seeing the miracle of a new-born alpaca take its first steps in life.” From that start they have built the herd up to 80 alpacas on their 10 acres and ‘have never looked back.’

Cornerstone Alpacas cater for groups of two to 60.
“We love our animals, thus follows our decision to share our passion with others,” says Dave.
To book a farm visit contact Herman on 027 555 7887 or email here.​

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