Joe Louis eats possum pie
Hungry for sheep intestine? Haggis is waiting for you in Scotland. Interested in fetal duck? Just head to the Philippines for a serving of Balut. Never had fried tarantula? Well get on over to Cambodia immediately!
If you fancy yourself an international foodie or delicacy hunter, then it is time you add possum pie to your culinary bucket list. New Zealanders are big on pies. It seems there is always a pie shop nearby (unlike say a wi-fi network), and even where there isn’t, the local grocery store or gas station will have you covered. Although you can find pies in many forms and flavors, most are hand-sized meat pies containing steak, lamb, or chicken with a variety of fillings such as cheese and vegetables.
To taste the unique specialty snack of possum pie, you will need to seek a bit farther than your local Seven-Eleven. Get over to the South Island and search out Bushman Pete. His pies aren’t just fried roadkill. They renown, environmentally conscious delicacies. Not to mention a great snack to eat on the go!
Pukekura, New Zealand
Get yer possum pie here
Pete’s Possum Pies and Pete’s Possum Pate is a cozy operation located in Pukekura, a small town outside of Greymouth. It is the go-to place in the world for possum pie.
A charitable cause
Despite possums being considered pests in New Zealand (because they aren’t native to the environment and are now overpopulated), the government has recently made it difficult for proprietors to SELL possum meat. Out of luck? No need to worry. For a small donation, Bushman Pete will give you a pie for free!
The donation does actually go to a cause. The use of the pesticide, Soudium Monofluoroacetate (1080)”Ten Eighty”, is an ongoing debate in New Zealand. The government says that the pesticide is a safe way to control the possum population, but hunters like Bushman Pete think it is dangerous and promote trapping as a safer alternative.
Be casual, be cool
Every now and then the government will send a surprise inspector to Bushman Pete’s cafe. So when you visit, just be cool about it. If you’re dressed like backpacker and roll up in a campervan, you probably won’t alert his suspicions. Also remember, you are giving a donation and not purchasing the pies.
Come for the pie, stay for the conversation
Bushman Pete’s is a worthwhile stop whether you are in the market for pie or just want to experience native culture. Visiting the shop is like leaving the coastal cities of the U.S. to get a taste of the heartland.
Chat up Bushman Pete on local events, politics, or recommendations for the area. He’s witty and opinionated, just like the many signs around his outfit. There is also a souvenir shop selling assorted knicknacks and junk, including an old car. He even has a small museum in the back.
Resources
Pet’s Possum Pie and Pate: http://www.pukekura.co.nz/possum/
