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NZ Ex Games

The Hit List

What are we fighting?

Three ways into the reference material

Examples from Land, Freshwater and Marine, not a ranking of threats. Image availability does not determine ecological importance.

Browse verified public Targets by environment. See what each one is, why it matters, what is known and what still needs answering.

These are structured reference subjects, not a complete account of an ecosystem. Coverage measures populated knowledge components, not scientific certainty or ecological progress. Image and content coverage are incomplete.

Explore the possum dossier and discoveriesObservation and regeneration knowledgeExplore places on the map
A tracking card bearing footprints and a handwritten label

The source labels this card “Hedgehog and mouse footprints”. Individual marks are not diagnosed here. This is a separate example, not the card in the tracking-tunnel photograph.

Craig Gillies / Source: Department of Conservation (NZ) · CC BY 4.0. Resized; full source frame retained.

Inspect the full reference image

Environment

Land

Introduced threats established in terrestrial and wetland systems. 56 verified public Target identities.

Animals

Animal

25 records

  • Common brushtail possum photographed near Scottsdale, Tasmania, Australia. Reference appearance only; not evidence of New Zealand occurrence or impact.

    Possums

    Trichosurus vulpecula

    Open dossier

    An Australian marsupial introduced for the fur trade that browses native forest and preys on native wildlife.

    landEstablished knowledge 57%Identification guide

  • Rats

    Open dossier

    Introduced rats are included in the national Predator Free 2050 target.

    landEstablished knowledge 38%
    3 child targets
    • Ship rat showing the complete body profile and the tail extending beyond head-and-body length.

      Ship rat

      Rattus rattus

      Open dossier

      One of the rat species represented by the national Rats target.

      landEstablished knowledge 38%Identification guide
    • Norway rat side view.

      Norway rat

      Rattus norvegicus

      Open dossier

      One of the rat species represented by the national Rats target.

      landEstablished knowledge 38%Identification guide
    • Kiore museum specimen from Little Barrier, showing body and tail proportions in lateral view.

      Kiore

      Rattus exulans

      Open dossier

      One of the rat species represented by the national Rats target.

      landEstablished knowledge 38%Identification guide

  • Mustelids

    Open dossier

    Mustelids are a Predator Free 2050 target group. NZ Ex Games presents stoats, weasels and ferrets beneath this parent target.

    landEstablished knowledge 38%
    3 child targets
    • Stoat showing the slender body and black-tipped tail.

      Stoat

      Mustela erminea

      Open dossier

      Mustelid predator; displayed as a child of Mustelids rather than as the whole target class.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
    • Least weasel identification illustration.

      Weasel

      Mustela nivalis

      Open dossier

      Mustelid predator; displayed beneath the Mustelids parent target.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
    • Ferret showing the stocky build and facial mask.

      Ferret

      Mustela furo

      Open dossier

      Mustelid predator; displayed beneath the Mustelids parent target.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
  • Feral cat in lateral view, showing overall body and head profile.

    Feral cats

    Felis catus

    Open dossier

    Feral cats are included in the current Predator Free 2050 Strategy 2026–2030.

    landEstablished knowledge 57%
  • Feral goat showing full-body build, horns and coat profile.

    Feral goat

    Capra hircus

    Open dossier

    Introduced browsing mammal that damages native plants and forest understorey.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Rabbit

    Oryctolagus cuniculus

    Open dossier

    Introduced grazing and burrowing mammal that threatens dryland, dune and agricultural environments.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Wild deer

    Open dossier

    Wild deer is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%
    3 child targets

    • Red deer

      Cervus elaphus

      Open dossier

      Red deer is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

    • Sika deer

      Cervus nippon

      Open dossier

      Sika deer is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

    • Fallow deer

      Dama dama

      Open dossier

      Fallow deer is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Feral pig

    Sus scrofa

    Open dossier

    Feral pig is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Female Himalayan tahr in full-body profile, showing the compact build and short backward-curving horns.

    Himalayan tahr

    Hemitragus jemlahicus

    Open dossier

    Himalayan tahr is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Chamois

    Rupicapra rupicapra

    Open dossier

    Chamois is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Pest wallabies

    Open dossier

    Pest wallabies is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%
    3 child targets

    • Dama wallaby

      Notamacropus eugenii

      Open dossier

      Dama wallaby is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

    • Parma wallaby

      Notamacropus parma

      Open dossier

      Parma wallaby is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

    • Bennett’s wallaby

      Notamacropus rufogriseus

      Open dossier

      Bennett’s wallaby is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

      landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Rook

    Corvus frugilegus

    Open dossier

    Rook is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Argentine ant

    Linepithema humile

    Open dossier

    Argentine ant is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

Plants

Plant

31 records

  • Wilding conifers

    Open dossier

    Invasive conifers that can permanently alter distinctive New Zealand landscapes.

    landEstablished knowledge 38%
  • Old man’s beard showing compound leaves and clusters of cream-white flowers.

    Old man’s beard

    Clematis vitalba

    Open dossier

    A deciduous invasive vine that blankets shrubs and trees, suppressing native vegetation and regeneration.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
  • Tradescantia showing its creeping stems, glossy alternate leaves and three-petalled white flowers.

    Tradescantia

    Tradescantia fluminensis

    Open dossier

    Invasive groundcover that suppresses native forest-floor regeneration.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Kahili ginger flower spike, showing the yellow flowers and prominent red stamens.

    Wild ginger

    Open dossier

    Invasive ginger that forms dense stands and displaces native vegetation.

    landEstablished knowledge 38%

  • Chilean rhubarb

    Gunnera tinctoria

    Open dossier

    Invasive plant capable of forming dense stands and displacing native vegetation.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Gorse in flower, showing the dense spines and yellow pea-like flowers.

    Gorse

    Ulex europaeus

    Open dossier

    Introduced spiny shrub whose ecological effect and management priority depend on site context.

    landEstablished knowledge 38%
  • Alligator weed habit showing opposite leaves and white clover-like flower heads.

    Alligator weed

    Alternanthera philoxeroides

    Open dossier

    Alligator weed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    land + freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Moth plant

    Araujia hortorum

    Open dossier

    Moth plant is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Climbing asparagus

    Asparagus scandens

    Open dossier

    Climbing asparagus is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Woolly nightshade

    Solanum mauritianum

    Open dossier

    Woolly nightshade is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Banana passionfruit

    Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima

    Open dossier

    Banana passionfruit is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Darwin’s barberry

    Berberis darwinii

    Open dossier

    Darwin’s barberry is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Japanese honeysuckle

    Lonicera japonica

    Open dossier

    Japanese honeysuckle is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Pampas

    Cortaderia selloana

    Open dossier

    Pampas is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Boneseed

    Chrysanthemoides monilifera

    Open dossier

    Boneseed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Tree privet

    Ligustrum lucidum

    Open dossier

    Tree privet is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Nassella tussock

    Nassella trichotoma

    Open dossier

    Nassella tussock is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Buddleia

    Buddleja davidii

    Open dossier

    Buddleia is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Blue morning glory

    Ipomoea indica

    Open dossier

    Blue morning glory is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Japanese knotweed

    Fallopia japonica

    Open dossier

    Japanese knotweed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Giant hogweed

    Heracleum mantegazzianum

    Open dossier

    Giant hogweed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Heather

    Calluna vulgaris

    Open dossier

    Heather is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Grey willow

    Salix cinerea

    Open dossier

    Grey willow is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Giant knotweed

    Fallopia sachalinensis

    Open dossier

    Giant knotweed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Lantana

    Lantana camara

    Open dossier

    Lantana is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Tutsan

    Hypericum androsaemum

    Open dossier

    Tutsan is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Formosa lily

    Lilium formosanum

    Open dossier

    Formosa lily is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Italian jasmine

    Jasminum humile

    Open dossier

    Italian jasmine is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Evergreen buckthorn

    Rhamnus alaternus

    Open dossier

    Evergreen buckthorn is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Cat’s claw creeper

    Dolichandra unguis-cati

    Open dossier

    Cat’s claw creeper is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Aluminium plant

    Lamium galeobdolon

    Open dossier

    Aluminium plant is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    landEstablished knowledge 50%

Environment

Freshwater

Introduced threats in rivers, lakes and freshwater wetlands. 42 verified public Target identities.

Animals

Animal

10 records

  • Asian freshwater clam right valve, showing the strongly ribbed shell and rounded-triangular outline; specimen length 2.4 cm.

    Invasive freshwater clam

    Corbicula fluminea

    Open dossier

    Invasive freshwater species threatening aquatic ecosystems.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 57%

  • Koi carp

    Cyprinus carpio

    Open dossier

    Invasive freshwater fish degrading aquatic habitat and water quality.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 57%
  • Brown bullhead identification illustration showing barbels, fin placement and body profile.

    Brown bullhead catfish

    Ameiurus nebulosus

    Open dossier

    Introduced freshwater fish with ecological and distribution concerns.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 57%

  • Goldfish

    Carassius auratus

    Open dossier

    Goldfish is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Gambusia

    Gambusia affinis

    Open dossier

    Gambusia is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Gudgeon

    Gobio gobio

    Open dossier

    Gudgeon is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Orfe

    Leuciscus idus

    Open dossier

    Orfe is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Perch

    Perca fluviatilis

    Open dossier

    Perch is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Rudd in lateral view, showing its deep body and reddish fins.

    Rudd

    Scardinius erythrophthalmus

    Open dossier

    Rudd is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Tench

    Tinca tinca

    Open dossier

    Tench is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

Plants / algae

Plant

32 records

  • Alligator weed habit showing opposite leaves and white clover-like flower heads.

    Alligator weed

    Alternanthera philoxeroides

    Open dossier

    Alligator weed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    land + freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Cabomba

    Cabomba caroliniana

    Open dossier

    Cabomba is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Hornwort showing stiff forked leaves arranged in dense whorls.

    Hornwort

    Ceratophyllum demersum

    Open dossier

    A rootless submerged freshwater weed that forms dense beds and spreads when brittle stems fragment.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
  • Egeria stems showing the conspicuous whorls of broad submerged leaves.

    Egeria

    Egeria densa

    Open dossier

    Egeria is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide
  • Water hyacinth flower spike and foliage; the swollen leaf stalks should also be checked in the field.

    Water hyacinth

    Eichhornia crassipes

    Open dossier

    Water hyacinth is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Reed sweet grass

    Glyceria maxima

    Open dossier

    Reed sweet grass is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Senegal tea

    Gymnocoronis spilanthoides

    Open dossier

    Senegal tea is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Hydrilla

    Hydrilla verticillata

    Open dossier

    Hydrilla is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Water poppy

    Hydrocleys nymphoides

    Open dossier

    Water poppy is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Yellow flag iris

    Iris pseudacorus

    Open dossier

    Yellow flag iris is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Lagarosiphon specimen showing narrow alternate leaves and downward-curving leaf tips.

    Lagarosiphon

    Lagarosiphon major

    Open dossier

    Lagarosiphon is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%Identification guide

  • Purple loosestrife

    Lythrum salicaria

    Open dossier

    Purple loosestrife is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Bogbean

    Menyanthes trifoliata

    Open dossier

    Bogbean is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Parrot’s feather

    Myriophyllum aquaticum

    Open dossier

    Parrot’s feather is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Yellow water lily

    Nuphar lutea

    Open dossier

    Yellow water lily is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Mexican water lily

    Nymphaea mexicana

    Open dossier

    Mexican water lily is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Entire marshwort

    Nymphoides geminata

    Open dossier

    Entire marshwort is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Fringed water lily

    Nymphoides peltata

    Open dossier

    Fringed water lily is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Vietnamese parsley

    Oenanthe javanica

    Open dossier

    Vietnamese parsley is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Common reed

    Phragmites australis

    Open dossier

    Common reed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Clasped pondweed

    Potamogeton perfoliatus

    Open dossier

    Clasped pondweed is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Delta arrowhead

    Sagittaria platyphylla

    Open dossier

    Delta arrowhead is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Arrowhead

    Sagittaria sagittifolia

    Open dossier

    Arrowhead is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Salvinia

    Salvinia molesta

    Open dossier

    Salvinia is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Lizard’s tail

    Saururus cernuus

    Open dossier

    Lizard’s tail is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Californian bulrush

    Schoenoplectus californicus

    Open dossier

    Californian bulrush is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Great reedmace

    Typha latifolia

    Open dossier

    Great reedmace is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Humped bladderwort

    Utricularia gibba

    Open dossier

    Humped bladderwort is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Eelgrass

    Vallisneria australis

    Open dossier

    Eelgrass is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Manchurian wild rice

    Zizania latifolia

    Open dossier

    Manchurian wild rice is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Microscope image of a Didymosphenia geminata silica cell wall from a 2010 sample collected in Rio Espolon, Chile. Processed to remove organic cell contents and stalk material; not a photograph of river stones or evidence of New Zealand occurrence.

    Didymo

    Didymosphenia geminata

    Open dossier

    Didymo is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Water net showing its diagnostic net-like colony structure.

    Water net

    Hydrodictyon reticulatum

    Open dossier

    Water net is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    freshwaterEstablished knowledge 50%

Environment

Marine

Introduced threats in coastal and marine systems. 9 verified public Target identities.

Animals

Animal

7 records

  • Mediterranean fanworm showing the spiral feeding crown extended from its tube.

    Mediterranean fanworm

    Sabella spallanzanii

    Open dossier

    Mediterranean fanworm is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Clubbed tunicate specimen showing the elongated club-shaped body and stalk.

    Clubbed tunicate

    Styela clava

    Open dossier

    Clubbed tunicate is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Asian paddle crab specimen collected in Auckland, showing dorsal carapace shape, spines and paddle-like rear legs.

    Asian paddle crab

    Charybdis japonica

    Open dossier

    Asian paddle crab is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Australian droplet tunicate

    Eudistoma elongatum

    Open dossier

    Australian droplet tunicate is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Carpet sea squirt

    Didemnum vexillum

    Open dossier

    Carpet sea squirt is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Japanese mantis shrimp

    Oratosquilla oratoria

    Open dossier

    Japanese mantis shrimp is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%

  • Pyura sea squirt

    Pyura doppelgangera

    Open dossier

    Pyura sea squirt is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%

Plants / algae

Plant

2 records

  • Spartina

    Spartina anglica

    Open dossier

    Spartina is an introduced or invasive subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%
  • Undaria specimen showing the broad, wavy blade and central midrib.

    Undaria

    Undaria pinnatifida

    Open dossier

    Undaria is an introduced marine biosecurity subject relevant to New Zealand ecological-threat intelligence.

    marineEstablished knowledge 50%