![Rat with brown fur, grey and white underside, 11–13 cm long.](http://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/005/328/full/AOA_ART_03_Pacific_rat.jpg?1703039786)
The Pacific rat – also known as the Polynesian rat – is widespread throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia. As the species does not swim long distances, it is associated with human migration. Early Polynesian settlers chose to bring kiore to Aotearoa – they were not stowaways like the rat species that came with European ships.