Villainizing possums may further nativist views among young people in New Zealand
Studies show that New Zealanders care deeply about the environment and are committed to protecting their country's biodiverse landscapes. As such, they have a long history of supporting ecological restoration and conservation policies. One such policy established New Zealand's biosecurity system, which calls for the elimination of invasive plant and animal species that threaten ecosystems and food systems. Although New Zealand is home to many invasive species, many New Zealanders have a particular disdain for the Australian brushtail possum.