Overview
The early settlers found New Zealand a land in which climate and natural conditions seemed to duplicate many of the best features of the homelands, but except for pigs and goats, the bush was devoid of game. From the mid 1850's Acclimatisation societies were established and began importing many kinds of animals. The enthusiasm especially for game animals was largely cultural – the new landed class wanted familiar sporting animals, while others were keen to enjoy sport available to their fathers only as poachers.
Between 1850 and 1910, 22 species of animal were introduced, often with repeated liberations. By 1920 there was a growing realisation of the effects of the grazing animals were having and no further deliberate introductions were made. A few species such as mule and axis deer died out, while others such as wapiti, fallow and sambar deer only established in restricted areas, however, some, such as red deer and hares spread rapidly and spectacularly, while tahr and chamois are still penetrating new areas today.
Surviving species include hare, red deer, fallow deer, whitetail deer, chamois, tahr, wapiti, Japanese deer, sambar deer, and possibly moose.
Whenever a herd of animals became established a predictable sequence of events followed. After a slow start number and distribution increased more and more rapidly, with the animals in excellent condition and stags producing huge trophy antlers. Mild winters and a year round supply of food enabled large numbers to survive. After about 30 years the densities of the herds were immense but the animals were in poor condition. Forests developed signs of severe overbrowsing : lack of regeneration, cleared undergrowth, trampled ground cover compacted subsoils and exposed tree-roots. Such a devastated habitat could not support the huge numbers and the population fell back to a more sustainable level. By the 1960's deer covered a large area but population densities were low and the condition of the animals was improving. In recent years intensive hunting and live capture for helicopters has kept numbers low.