This is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. It includes notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity. Pre 1700s 14th century- Arrival of Māori who brought with them the kiore rat. 16th century Final extinction of all eleven species of moa. 1642 Tasman is first European to reach New Zealand. 1760s 1769 New Zealand mapped by James Cook, and the Norway rat believed to have arrived in New Zealand aboard his ship, the Endeavour. Feral pigs – called "Captain Cookers" in New Zealand – possibly arrived with Cook in the course of visits to New Zealand (1773-1774) during his second voyage (1772-1775). 1790s European sealers and whalers arrive. 1800s Gorse introduced as hedging plant. Rabbits introduced Sheep and cattle introduced. 1830s 1837 Australian brush-tailed possum introduced. 1840s 1840 Treaty of Waitangi 1860s Ship rat spreads throughout North Island. 1860 Australian magpie introduced. 1861 The Protection of Certain Animals Act passed - legislated that: "No Deer of any kind, Hare, Swan, Partridge, English Plover, Rook, Starling, Thrush or Blackbird" could be shot for the rest of the decade. 1864 Wild Birds Protection Act - legislated that: "No Wild Duck, Paradise Duck, or Pigeon indigenous in the colony shall be hunted, taken, or killed except during the months of April, May, June, and July in any year". 1867 Trout and Salmon Protection Act passed - made provision for "the preservation and propagation of Salmon and Trout in this Colony". 1870s Ship rat spreads throughout the South Island. Rook introduced from Europe 1870 Hedgehogs, which devour large quantities of insects, are introduced. 1875 Seal hunting restricted to a short annual season. 1876 Rabbit Nuisance Act passed. 1879 Ferrets introduced to control rabbits even after warnings were made of their effects on bird life. 1880s 1882 Small Birds Nuisance Act passed. 1884 One hundred stoat and weasel were caught in Lincolnshire, England for shipment to New Zealand. The passage is expected to take 45 days and 1,500 live pigeons were also shipped for their consumption. 1885 Stoats and weasels are liberated as a misguided attempt to control rabbits. 1887 23 September — Te Heuheu Tūkino IV gifts Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe to people of New Zealand. 1890s 1890 An area of land, that will become the Trounson Kauri Park, is set aside by the Government. 1893 Rainbow trout successfully introduced by the Auckland Acclimatisation