New Zealand is the home of many different animals and birds. Before any humans arrived on our shores, New Zealand’s wildlife was much
more plentiful than today. The animal and bird populations have changed remarkably over 100’s of years, mostly due to human behaviour.
Millions of years ago, even dinosaurs roamed New Zealand, and large marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and mosasaurs swam in our oceans. There were many other strange creatures that no longer exist, and of course the mighty dinosaurs themselves disappeared over millennia.
When humans (Polynesians) did arrive on Aotearoa’s shores, they brought dogs and a type of rat. Their hunting eradicated many species, and there was no one to record many of the wonders lost.
When the first Europeans arrived, they brought cats, goats, sheep and pigs. The lush birdlife was much sought after by European Museums, so a plethora of specimens were shot and collected. More Native species became extinct.
More introduced species were released in New Zealand, for skin trades (e.g. possum, rabbits), pets (cats and dogs), and livestock (sheep, cows), and transport (horses).
Many introduced species caused much more harm than help, sparking ideas to introduce yet more species to counter them. (eg. stoats, weasels, ferrets), which caused even more carnage. European birds were brought for nostalgic value or for hunting for European settlers.
All of these additions have changed the animal landscape of New Zealand. Many introduced species are now deemed pests and much is done to try to control them, and also to keep our native birds, mammals, insects, worms, reptiles etc, safe from extinction.
Wild Life – An Animal History of Aotearoa is the 9th book in the full colour NZ Series. This episode shares the histories of the animals that live here, and how or why they arrived.
Beginning before our country was even on our own at the bottom of the world, right up to present day, this book travels throughout the histories of the animals that we share New Zealand with.
From bats, bees, birds and butterflies. Lizards, worms, snails and slugs, and of course, pets, farm animals, and even animal celebrities – this book tells their stories.
Colour and black and white photographs help share these stories, and charts, information boxes and animal art work are also included.
Whether for school or home book shelves, this is an engaging and informative read by an award winning NZ author.
Author – Philippa Werry
Age – 10+
Find more books on NZ Non-Fiction here
(2026, Oratia, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ, Non-fiction, Animals, Historical, Origins, NZ Native Birds, NZ Native Animals, Introduced Species, Livestock, Development, Loss of Species, Endangered Animals, Series)