They may look cute but introduced wallabies pose serious threats to New Zealand's environment. Photo: Supplied/ Local Democracy Reporting
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council killed or contained more than 2000 wallabies as part of its pest control programme in 2024/25.
Wallabies were introduced to New Zealand from Australia in the late 1800s for hunting, private zoos and for the value of their skin.
Without a natural predator, they have adapted to New Zealand conditions and it is now estimated over 1 million live in our nation's wild.
"Wallabies eat everything within their reach in our native bush, including the seedlings that make up future forests," Department of Conservation Rotorua operations manager Zane Jensen said.