Notes
When New Zealand broke away from the continent of Gondwana its unique birds, fish, reptiles, insects and plants developed and evolved in isolation. Without humans these living things still faced major challenges to their survival but much survived intact. The first wave of Polynesian settlers doomed the moa, other birds and large areas of forest. European settlement brought new animals, plants and birds that transformed the country's biodiversity and landscape. Later chapters of this book look at the history of government attempts to poison pests, and the "predator-free" campaign, which the authors believe to be deeply flawed.Additional Notes
James E Hilton (BSc Hons Zoology) is a New Zealand trained former High School Science Biology teacher and Government Research Scientist, now Independent Scientist specialising in wildlife biology, plant ecology, animal and bird behaviour and the environmental effects of poisons used to kill wildlife and plants. Roger Childs (BA Hons, Dip Ed, Dip Tch) is a former Head of Social Sciences at Kapiti College and The Correspondence School. He has worked on many Social Sciences curriculum and examination contracts for the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs, and authored or co-authored several Social Studies, Geography and History textbooks.
