Animal pests

Animal pests in NZ

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Over 23 introduced mammal species occur in New Zealand and have had major impacts on New Zealand's native biota. The absence of terrestrial, four-footed mammals from New Zealand until a few centuries ago has meant that our native fauna evolved within a terrestrial ecosystem dominated by birds. These species now experience an intensity of predation and competition far beyond their evolutionary ability to tolerate. Accordingly much of New Zealand’s biota has suffered, and extinctions, particularly of animals have been severe. Today New Zealand’s land based native mammal species (three species of bat, one now extinct) are far outnumbered by introduced mammals.

Introduced animals are often classified as ecological pests because they impact detrimentally on the structure, function or composition of New Zealand's indigenous plant communities. Some of the most damaging animal pests in New Zealand are the three species of introduced rat; the ship rat (Rattus rattus), the Norway or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the Kiore or Pacific rat (Rattus exulans). The ship rat is a good climber. It eats small animals, eggs, young birds and a wide range of native fruits, and other plant material. Norway rats do not climb trees but frequent water courses where they feed on ground-nesting birds and their young, and on other ground-dwelling animals such as lizards. Kiore eat a wide range of foods, including seeds, fruits, lizards, insects, eggs and chicks.

For more information about other animal pests follow these links:

• Mustelids – click here
• Pest fish – click here
• Insect pests – click here
• Search for detailed pest information – click here