The Long Shadow

When European settlers first arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand, they brought with them more than dreams of a new life — they brought plants and animals that forever altered the ecosystem. The Long Shadow explores the captivating and complex history of these introduced species and their profound impact on native wildlife.

Through stunning 19th-century-style portraits and vivid historical accounts, this book takes readers on a journey through time, from the ideals of acclimatisation societies to the ecological challenges and losses that followed. It is a story of both destruction and adaptation, revealing the delicate balance between humanity’s ambitions and nature’s inability to keep pace.

The Long Shadow is an homage to the unique biodiversity of Aotearoa and a powerful reminder of the enduring consequences of human intervention.