New Zealand is a unique place to study the evolution of viruses. Separated from Gondwana around 84 million years ago, many of New Zealand’s native hosts have lived in isolation, likely harbouring novel and highly divergent viruses. New Zealand’s fauna therefore provides a powerful natural experiment to evaluate the key genetic and ecological parameters that affect viral evolution. Specifically, the unusual amalgam of native and invasive species, with well-documented history of invasive introduction, provide a unique opportunity to determine the factors that contribute to viral host-jumping over ecological timescales. We sample animal hosts such as birds, fish, reptiles and mammals to uncover what viruses they harbour, determine how their viruses have evolved over time and how their ecology and life history may promote viral host-jumping. Overall, we aim to reveal more of the unexplored virosphere, uncover potential disease-causing viruses affecting wildlife, and identify factors that shape the virome.