Brushtail possums (called Paihama in the Maori language) were introduced to New Zealand from Australia about 150 years ago. In their native land of Australia, predators and poisonous leaves keep their population in natural balance. However, in lush New Zealand, a country where the only native mammal is the bat, no predators exist to keep their numbers in check. As a result, the population of Paihama has exploded in New Zealand, and now they are one of the gravest environmental problems in the country. Exponential growth has brought their numbers to over 70 million in a country roughly the size of Colorado. Paihama now outnumber people in New Zealand 20 to 1.
Paihama destroy New Zealand’s unique native forest by eating the leaves and decimating over 46 million pounds of vegetation every single night! Many species of trees and unique birds, including the kiwi, are being threatened with extinction because of this invasive animal. In some areas, they have eaten entire canopies of native trees such as the rata, totara, kowhai and kohekohe.
In a unique and isolated environment such as New Zealand, a campaign to address this epidemic is necessary if the native ecosystems are to survive. However, we do not believe that the widespread use of a potent toxin is the solution. Instead, we are establishing a market for Paihama wool products in the United States to support New Zealand hunters and trappers working to address this problem without destroying other elements of their ecosystem.
We believe that the more financially viable it is for hunters to address this epidemic the more possible it will be to control this environmental disaster in a sustainable way. By purchasing Paihama wool products, you are supporting an ecological solution to save New Zealand’s native forests and birds. In addition to the support the product itself creates for the environment, we are committed to donating 5% of our profits to environmental causes and non-profit organizations in New Zealand.