Coromandel resident Stu Edmonson, known as the 'Pig Man', is struggling to protect his pig contingent from thieves and abusers.
Mr Edmonson has over 100 pigs on his property on 309 Road between Whitianga and Coromandel town, making his property an unofficial tourist stop.
But he's increasingly fighting off thieves and abusers who are stealing and hurting his pigs.
He told RNZ some people run them over, or try to steal them in the night, while a local man in the area is said to hate the pigs.
"If anything is on the road or just outside the fence, he'll drive over just to smash them up," Mr Edmonton said.
"It really upsets me when they run them over on purpose, grab them, stick a knife in them, shoot them with a crossbow - really cruel deaths."
He told RNZ he felt it was a waste of time going to police about the incidents.
Mr Edmonton's friend Mock Johnson told RNZ that the 'Pig Man' was essentially "condemned to living out here so he can guard his pigs".
In an interview with Newshub last year, Mr Edmonton said when his pigs die it feels like the loss of a friend.
He said his pigs have excellent hygiene, and he's happy to share a home with them.
"They are very clean animals, contrary to popular belief, and they are very intelligent creatures - as soon as they hear the sound of a car door closing, they run down from surrounding areas signalling to each other that company is here, and possibly food."
Newshub.
