Nic Fildes recounts childhood memories of preserving a pet possum named Percy in Melbourne, contrasting Australia’s respect for the protected brush-tailed possum with New Zealand’s eradication efforts. In NZ, possums are treated as pests, with up to 2 million trapped or poisoned annually to protect native species like the kiwi. The possum fur industry has grown into a significant export, generating NZ$150 million yearly and supporting 1,500 workers through products like possum merino clothing sold in duty-free and outdoor stores.
However, New Zealand’s ‘Predator Free 2050’ plan threatens to eliminate the raw material supply if successful. Industry figures like Ross Goodin of Lothlorian Knitwear highlight the ethical and functional benefits of possum fur — its hollow structure makes it soft, lightweight, water-repellent, and insulating. Australia is seen as a potential alternative source, given its commercial harvesting of 1.5 million macropods annually for kangaroo leather, though historical overuse of native species like koalas for fur serves as a cautionary tale.
Tasmania already supports a small possum industry, and mainland populations remain stable for now, valued as part of Australia’s biodiversity.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing