This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Plant importing into New Zealand

I would have to make inquiries as to whether Sansevierias are "approved".
But even then, it is a long, costly process for a hobbyist. I should
explain that there are very good reasons for these harsh rules. Our
environment has been very seriously affected by imported plants (and
animals) in the past. We have a very delicate ecosystem - not dissimilar
from Madagascar in that the islands that make up New Zealand were isolated
for so long that species evolved that were quite distinct from the rest of
the world. Common plants to others in the world have become pests here -
Morning Glory, Gorse, Ginger Plant, even Agapanthus, which we rely on in
Wellington to keep our hillsides staying in place, and many others are now
being suggested as something that is killing off our indigenous flora. And
then, of course, there are the animals - rabbits, Australian possums,
stoats, ferrets, goats, pigs - all are ruining the native forest areas.
Before the coming of Europeans there were no mammals in New Zealand, except
maybe the Maori dog, and the Maori rat - both of which were bred for food,
and these were fairly late arrivals. Hence our preponderence of birds that
do not fly. So I do not in principle disapprove of the Government's strict
rules on importation - I just get a bit erked sometimes when there is
something I want. But this all has to be put in perspective if one wants to
be described as a conservationist - and I hope I am.

I will let you know the results of my inquiries.

Regards

Frances
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index