European hedgehog in New Zealand

Long regarded as a gardener’s helper in Britain, the introduction of Hedgehogs seemed to be like a good solution to the lack of natural predators for the pests in New Zealand.

The general public has a benign attitude to them in urban environments, but conservationists and regional councils regard them as pests, as they prey on native animals and compete with them for food.

[5] Since coming to New Zealand the hedgehog has grown a little smaller and never reaches the size or weight of animals in Britain and continental Europe.

This is because European animals must reach a larger size and greater weight to survive the 6 month long period of hibernation.

Many people have a benign attitude to these introduced predators who eat garden pests,[6] and a few have implemented hedgehog rescue efforts.

[7] Following studies, the Department of Conservation (DOC), regional and local councils have now recognised the damage hedgehogs cause and now actively attempt to manage their population.

[6] The critically endangered Cromwell chafer beetle (Prodontria lewisi) is threatened due to predation by hedgehogs as well as other introduced species.