Marine invaders
Thousands of animals and plants are travelling around the world on ships’ hulls, in their ballast water, or caught up in fishing tackle. Some of them become prolific colonisers in their new habitats.
Part of story: Marine invaders
New Zealand fungi
Numbers In terms of species, fungi far outnumber plants. Worldwide there are an estimated 1.5 million species of fungi (compared to 250,000–420,000 flowering plants). By 2004, about 7,500
Part of story: Fungi
Conservation – a history
The arrival of humans and the animals they introduced has had a devastating effect on New Zealand’s natural environment.
Part of story: Conservation – a history
The summerfruit industry
Growers In 2007 there were about 350 growers cultivating just over 2,200 hectares of fruit trees. Very few growers produce just one type of fruit – most grow three or four varieties. For
Part of story: Stone fruit and the summerfruit industry
Government
Colonial government In 1840 New Zealand became British territory, under the governorship of Captain William Hobson. He based his government in Auckland.
Part of story: Wellington region
Urban vets
The jobs of rural and urban veterinarians differ in many ways. Rural vets do most of their work on the farm or at the owner’s residence, and may make just a few visits per day
Part of story: Veterinary services
1908 Blackball strike
The strike that finally ended New Zealand’s reputation as the ‘country without strikes’ broke out in 1908 in the West Coast mining town of Blackball.
Part of story: Strikes and labour disputes
Introductions
Introduced fish In the late 1800s and early 1900s, British settlers introduced fish of the Salmonidae family – trout and salmon – to New Zealand. Some of these species now form important
Part of story: Coarse fish
Combating threats to forests
Forest health With introduced trees came many new pests and diseases. From the 1920s the Forest Service was concerned that insect pests might come into the country on imported forest
Part of story: Forestry research
Plant & Food Research, Landcare and NIWA
Three more Crown research institutes involved with land-based research are the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research (Plant & Food Research), Landcare