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Here goes nothing…NRC Chairman Mark Farnsworth is among those who have taste-tested the possum pate to be given away at the upcoming Dargaville field days.

Last year the Northland Regional Council gave away about 2500 wild goat meat pies in a successful bid to attract visitors to its marquee.  The previous year possums provided the mini pies’ filling.

Regional Council Events Co-ordinator Liz Woodward says the Council is to continue the pest food theme – offering free possum pate - at this year’s March 1-3 Northland Agricultural Field Days.

Ms Woodward says the Council has ordered enough possum pate from its South Island supplier to spread on about 2500 crackers and is hoping the light-hearted attraction will once again lure visitors to the NRC marquee at its traditional spot - site A9.

For the curious, she says one Council staff member who trialled the pate described it as having a “tuna-like texture, with a light gamey flavour”.

“And the squeamish need not worry, according to the pate’s manufacturer, all the possum used in its products is inspected by MAF and is processed at a certified plant to national food standards.”

Meanwhile, Ms Woodward says Regional Council staff will be on hand at the field days to chat about the more serious aspects of the NRC’s work from sustainable land use to water quality and weed and pest control.