Did Kingsford Smith introduce the Swallow to NZ?

[Dave Homewood]

This is an interesting snippet. Well, the Swallows definitely got here somehow, so was it Smithy that brought them?

From the Evening Post, 24 November 1933

Swallows for New Zealand.
That Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith should be asked to bring a crate of Australian swallows to New Zealand on his next flight across the Tasman Sea was the suggestion made in a letter received by the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society at its meeting on Wednesday evening from Mr. W. G. Shackle, of Springston (states the Christchurch "Press"). Mr. Shackle contended that the only way the birds could be brought to New Zealand was by air. A member immediately protested that it would be inadvisable to import swallows, which were known to be eaters of trout food, when complaints were constantly being made of the paucity of such food. Any discussion on the suggestion was cut short when it was stated that the Government did not allow the importation of birds of any description, and it was decided to reply to Mr. Shackle accordingly.

[komata]

Dave H: The short answer would seem to have been 'no' as explained in the following article:

'A self-introduced species from Australia, welcome swallows were rare vagrants before the late 1950s and increased greatly through the 1960s and 1970s particularly in the North Island. Early records included Northland (1920), Auckland Islands (1943), Awhitu Peninsula (1944), Campbell Island (1946), Stewart Island (1953) and Farewell Spit (1955). Their arrival was closely monitored by bird-watchers, and resulted in perhaps the most amusing title ever penned for a New Zealand bird publication – Barrie Heather’s 1956 short note ‘Welcome swallow at Farewell Spit’.

Welcome swallows first bred in New Zealand at Awanui, Northland in 1958. By 1965 they were common throughout Northland, spreading elsewhere in the North Island, and were breeding in the South Island'.(1)

Hope that this helps.



_______________________

(1) 'New Zealand Birds Online: Welcome Swallow' [online], New Zealand Birds Online at: nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/welcome-swallow [accessed 27 January 2016]

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks. That clears that up. The 1956 title is great too!