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Graphic: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966.

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This information was published in 1966 in An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock. It has not been corrected and will not be updated.

Up-to-date information can be found elsewhere in Te Ara.

ACCLIMATISATION OF ANIMALS

Contents


Wildlife Legislation

Most acclimatisation societies received recognition and in some instances financial aid from provincial governments, but it was not until 1867 with the passing of an Act “to provide for the Protection of Certain Animals and for the encouragement of Acclimatisation Societies in New Zealand”, that provisions were made for the registration of acclimatisation societies at the Colonial Secretary's office. The aim of most early legislation relating to wildlife was the encouragement of the introduction of foreign birds and plants and their protection. In 1867 the introduction of “any fox, venomous reptile, hawk, vulture or other bird of prey” was forbidden, but it was not until 1895 that it was necessary to obtain written consent to introduce “any animal or bird whatsoever”. It is doubtful whether this legislation was successful in preventing undesirable importations as the onus for preventing illegal introductions was placed on the ship's master, who had few means of enforcing this law even supposing he were interested in doing so. With the passing of the Animals Protection Act of 1907, responsibility for the administration of this legislation passed from the Colonial Secretary to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The present century has brought various new trends in the field of acclimatisation and a growing awareness of the need for the conservation of national resources. The belief, commonly held in the late nineteenth century, that the native birds and plants would inevitably disappear to be replaced by introduced species was gradually supplanted by the idea that, while a few species might be doomed to extinction for various reasons, it was possible for some native fauna to be preserved, although in a restricted form. Following the introductions of the 1860s it had been found that imported species needed protection against poachers and consequently early legislation was concerned almost entirely with the welfare of imported species. In 1864, however, some protection was given to native species with the declaration of a closed season for native ducks and the native pigeon which previously could be hunted at any time. The fact that the fine for taking imported game out of season was £20 whereas that for taking native game was only £1 is indicative of the importance placed on the respective species. In 1886 power was granted to the Governor to give absolute protection to any indigenous bird, but it was not until the passing of the Animals Protection Act of 1907 that this prerogative was first exercised with the appendage of a special list of absolutely protected birds. The introduction, in the Animals Protection and Game Act of 1921–22, of the principle of absolute protection for the majority of native birds and a few land animals–two species of bats, the tuatara, and native frogs–was a major step in the conservation of the wildlife of the country, although the main concern was still with acclimatisation societies and the administration of game for sport. Protection of native fauna was extended still further with the passing of the Wildlife Act (1953) by which all native birds, except the large black shag, the harrier hawk, and the kea are protected in some way. This protection includes regular migrants, such as godwit, and vagrant species from Australia and elsewhere. No introduced mammals or birds, except seven species of game birds and the white swan, are protected. This Act reflects the growth of a popular movement which favoured the native before the introduced species and resisted the effort to turn New Zealand into a piece of transplanted England. The aim of the present laws relating to wildlife is the preservation of native birds and animals; the conservation of game birds and fish by management involving the taking of a yearly crop; and the control of introduced mammals.