They may well have been intentionally introduced. Here in New Zealand the Maori ate polynesian rats, and have a legend about how they were brought here [1]. Who

They may well have been intentionally introduced. Here in New Zealand the Maori ate polynesian rats, and have a legend about how they were brought here [1]. Who knows whether the legend is based on an intentional introduction or not, but it seems likely. 1: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/rat-maori http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/rat-maori