Promoting Our Herpetofauna: The Formation of the New Zealand Herpetological Society, 1968–1974

In 1968, people interested in amphibians and reptiles formed the New Zealand Herpetological Society (N.Z.H.S.). Boosted by a handful of herpetologists employed in a government department or university, it produced regular newsletters, held monthly meetings in Wellington, formed an Auckland branch and organised occasional field trips. Membership grew from the inaugural 46 to about 160. The early N.Z.H.S. was the first New Zealand herpetological network and forerunner to two current herpetological organisations: the contemporary N.Z.H.S. and the Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand, formed in 1987. The 25 newsletters issued from 1969 to 1974 contained useful reference material, including a series of ‘field‐guide’ articles providing information and photographs for various native lizards. Tensions developed between members (mostly in Wellington), mainly interested in studying wild animals, and those (including many Auckland members) more interested in keeping captive animals. In 1974, no Wellington members stood for office, and the running of the society shifted to Auckland. This article reviews the formative first 6 years of the N.Z.H.S.