Story summary
Acclimatisation is the adaptation of animals or plants to an environment or climate where they are not naturally found.
Early introductions
Polynesians brought rats, dogs, kūmara and other plants to New Zealand. European sailors in the late 1700s left behind pigs and potatoes. Settlers from Europe brought many plants and animals to New Zealand.
The acclimatisation movement
In the mid-19th century, Europeans were fascinated with the plants and animals of countries they had recently discovered. They moved species around the world, and some rich English people had collections of exotic animals.
Acclimatisation societies were set up in Europe to import species. Some people imagined having antelopes and wombats in Britain for meat.
Bringing species to New Zealand
European settlers wanted to improve New Zealand by introducing species for farming, hunting and fishing – or just because they missed them. They set up acclimatisation societies in New Zealand, and brought in new species, including:
- deer and ducks for hunting
- trout for fishing
- cats and dogs for company
- possums for their fur
- horses and bullocks for transport
- fruit and nut trees
- birds from home to catch insects, or because the settlers missed them.
Success and failure
Trout, deer and Canada geese formed wild populations quickly. Some species, such as salmon, partridges and pheasants, were not well suited to New Zealand. Still, societies kept trying to introduce them.
Impact on the environment
Some introduced species are now pests – rabbits were brought for shooting, but became a pest for farmers. Stoats and ferrets were introduced to control rabbits, but became a problem too. Possums have destroyed large areas of native forest.
Native species that preyed on introduced ones were often shot or trapped.
Changing role of societies
After 1990, acclimatisation societies became known as fish and game councils. Today they manage freshwater fishing and game-bird hunting, and work to protect habitats such as wetlands.