Feast makes a meal out of bothersome pests

Enemies of native flora and fauna have long taken a terrible toll, without most of us being able to do much about it.

This will all change during conservation week, when people can literally sink their teeth into some of these pests and do their part for our natural world.

Conservation week starts on Saturday, September 10, but people will first get to make a meal of some of the most bothersome creatures to arrive on New Zealand shores at the Pest Feast at Harbourside market the following day.

The feast is being led by the Department of Conservation in partnership with the Wellington City Council, and will take place on Sunday September 11 and the following Sunday.

Head down to the waterfront market near Te Papa and perhaps try a wallaby pie, venison burger or gorse flower sorbet.

Maybe the idea of sating yourself on some wild pig, or goat curry, appeals.

Conservation has probably never been so accessible and delicious, with meals prepared by chefs and also some of the harbourside market’s regular stall holders.

Each day of the pest feast, and during the week, you will be able to listen to expert opinion about pests and swap a weed for a native seedling, to do even more for conservation by adding to your own garden.