Moose were introduced into aotearoa in the 1900s

First attempt in 1900

The first release of moose was into the West Coast ranges, with two bulls and two cows. These four animals were the only ones to have survived the voyage from an original group of fourteen sent from Canada. 

Westland Acclimatisation Society reports on the settlement of the moose

Reports on sightings and the apparent health of the moose regularly appeared in the meeting minutes. 

However, this first attempt was unsuccessful.  

Despite initial enthusiasm about the adaptation of moose into New Zealand in 1900, the initial attempt didn't succeed. Although at least one cow moose appeared to be seen over the years, the bulls do not appear to have survived beyond the first year or two. The Westland Acclimatisation Society continued to report on the moose at their meetings. 

From Te Ara, The first moose: 

The first attempt to establish moose in New Zealand was in the Hokitika valley in [...] 1900. This failed. 

Second attempt to establish moose in New Zealand

When the second importation of moose happened, a larger group of 10 animals were released into a different region, further south in Dusky Sound. There was correspondence between New Zealand and Canada over several years to secure a starting herd of moose. However, this second arrival of moose did not actually happen until 1910 (not 1907 as reported below). 

From Te Ara, The first moose: 

[...] the second attempt was in 1907, when four bulls and six cows were imported from Canada and released in Dusky Sound. 

same species, different animals

Confusion about wapiti, elk and moose

Although hunters and scientists were clear about the differences, it's not always obvious to everyone else. 

Who is a wapiti, who an elk? Press, 30 May 1986, Page 10. 

This article gives background and dates of the introduction of the different animals to New Zealand over the years, as well as clarifying what the differences between the animals are. 

Establishment of moose population in Fiordland 

Before the first hunting licenses were issued in 1923, time was needed to ensure that the population was sufficiently established. Animals were sighted across the years, prior to the first moose being killed in 1929.

However, this was not without some trials, such as actually finding the elusive moose, confusion about whether sightings or hoof marks were of wapiti, large deer or moose, and having to estimate the population based on overseas breeding patterns without knowing whether this would be an accurate population representation in a new environment, especially with different plant species than they were used to eating in North America. 

But should they have even been introduced in the first place? 

Not everyone was convinced that their introduction was a good option for New Zealand, even from the early years. 

There are several printed reports (not yet digitised) about the introduction of non-native species into New Zealand, and the role of Acclimatisation Societies over the years. 

• Gamekeepers for the nation : the story of New Zealand's acclimatisation societies, 1861-1990 /  R.M. McDowall. 
• The game animals of New Zealand : an account of their introduction, acclimatization, and development / by T. E. Donne, C.M.G. 1924.

Moose hunting as sport 

From Te Ara, The first moose: 

The first wapiti and moose hunting season was in 1923, with a limit of one animal per moose licence. On 9 September 1929 the first moose, a ten-pointer, was shot by E. J. Herrick. 

However, moose hunting was not without its challenges, as it was another five years before the second moose was shot in 1934, and this was also by Mr E. J. Herrick. 

The last moose known to be killed: The last moose to be shot in New Zealand: Percy Lyes with his prize at Herrick’s Creek, Wet Jacket Arm, 1952.  Press, 12 August 1983, Page 18 

But are they still here? 

Ken Tustin - New Zealand's best known moose hunter

With the last known moose to be shot in 1952, it is thought that the moose population may have survived through the following decades, but it has been difficult to prove this conclusively. 

Otago scientist Ken Tustin has been looking for the elusive moose population in the South Island since the 1970s, and is regularly interviewed about the found evidence. 

Newspaper articles relating to the 1972 research expedition

• Reports of moose in Fiordland.  Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32594, 30 April 1971, Page 17 
  • A bull moose is believed to have been shot in Wet Jacket Arm, Dusky Sound. It is believed that meat hunter shot the animal about five days ago and the trophy is being brought by fishing boat to Bluff. 
• Hunter saw two moose.  Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32597, 4 May 1971, Page 4 
  • Mr Anderson [...] said he saw two moose—a bull and a cow—about nine days ago. The two moose he sighted were in fairly dense bush. 
• Expedition to solve mystery of moose.  Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32769, 20 November 1971, Page 12  
  • A scientific expedition being planned by the Forest Service will in February search the steep, glaciated valleys and dense rainforest of Fiordland in an effort to find out how many of the only wild moose herd in the Southern Hemisphere remain. 
• Moose tracked in Fiordland. Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32895, 19 April 1972, Page 3
  • The first official report that the only herd of moose in the Southern Hemisphere had survived in Fiordland was made tonight by the field scientist in charge of the group, Mr K. Tustin, who is attached to the Forest Service’s field and range experimental station at Rangiora. He said the party got so close to moose that they actually smelt them.
• The elusive moose.  Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34104, 17 March 1976, Page 20
  • Four years ago a Forest Service expedition brought back from the Dusky Sound area of Fiordland evidence suggesting that a small herd of moose still survived in this remote part of New Zealand. A larger expedition, mounted by the Deerstalkers’ Association, has found similar evidence—tracks: fresh droppings, and branches broken and stripped in a manner not associated with red deer. 

Reports of moose sightings and investigations have continued over the years

1980s

• Call for the ‘black giants’ that once roamed Fiordland.   Press, 12 August 1983, Page 18 
  • Somewhere in the lonely, dripping, rain forests of the remote mountains and valleys of Fiordland wander the cunning, long-faced survivors of New Zealand’s moose herd. Of this, hunter and story-teller, Ray Tinsley, of Hokitika, is firmly convinced.
• On the trail of roaming moose.  Press, 10 March 1987, Page 43 
  •  Possible moose droppings found by a Wellington tramper, Alby Frampton, were given recently to the Deerstalkers’ Association for verification. 
• Moose may be in Fiordland.  Press, 2 April 1987, Page 18  
  • Droppings found at Dusky Sound last month will go to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States to find out if they were left by a moose.

2010s

• Secret snaps reveal elusive Fiordland moose. Otago Daily Times. 21 December 2012. 
  • Four photographs of moose taken by a hunter in Fiordland almost 60 years ago have finally been revealed publicly. Fred Stewardson (78), of Hikurangi, in Northland, took the photographs on a hunting trip to Wet Jacket Arm in 1953.
• New Zealand's moose hunt: A century-long quest for a forest's final secret. Charlie Mitchell. Stuff. 24 May 2018 
  • Includes a last verified photograph of a moose in Fiordland (taken in 1952), and Part One: Saskatchewan to Supper Cove (audio) from Charlie Mitchell's investigation, "The Moose Hunt". 
• There are signs moose still live in NZ's wilderness. Charlie Mitchell. Stuff. 24 May 2018
  • Includes Part Two: Broken branches (audio) from Charlie Mitchell's investigation, "The Moose Hunt". 

DigitalNZ Story updated in January 2025.