In 1867, Canterbury released 40 house sparrows to eat pests; 15 years later, they were poisoned

New Zealand introduced house sparrows in 1867 hoping they would help farmers control crop-eating insects. The birds multiplied quickly and soon became a problem, feeding on grains and fruit and damaging wheat, barley and maize crops. Their rapid rise led to organised efforts to control them, including poisoned grain, shooting and bounties for eggs and heads. The story was part of a wider push to introduce European birds for farming and sentimental reasons.