Wild Food FestivalA Wild n' Appetizing Hokitika experienceHokitika’s famous (in New Zealand) Wild Food Festival had been on our list of must do’s for a few years. Deciding the time had come, we ventured south to find out what drew people back year after year.
Having booked too late for accommodation in Hokitika, we were sharing a comfortable motel unit in Greymouth –40 kilometers north, with our friends, Grace and Jim. It seems many people make an annual pilgrimage to this very popular event, booking as they leave, in anticipation of the next year’s Wild Food festival. Someone up there was smiling as we enjoyed clear blue skies and warm temperatures, a light breeze coming off the sea to cool everyone off.
Tickets were a very reasonable $20 if pre booked, and $30 at the gate. We found parking a close walk away, despite the expected crowd of 14,000.A bonus of having such an event in a small town. Unsure of just how “wild” the food and the attendees would be, we passed through the gates and were immediately treated to signs announcing such delicacies as mountain oysters, huhu grubs, sweet breads, and oyster shots. Next door “chicken of the forest” was featured. For those that can’t guess what this could possibly be – think “possum”. 
Food signs to tickle your taste buds! The first thing we see at the Wild Food Festival is more reminiscent of......mmmmmmm well America.A very authentic looking Indian tepee near by, created the perfect backdrop to men dressed in their skins and Davy Crocket hats, the women, wearing 18th century long cotton frocks and bonnets. Were they demonstrating a sample of life on the coast as a pioneer? Did they eat wild food such as this just to survive back then? Already they had our attention.
The Indian Tepee and pioneer men at the Entrance to the Wild Food Festival. Deciding to see what all the stalls the Wild Food Festival had to offer before we sampled, we encountered groups of young people dressed to a theme. There were plenty of impromptu acts to entertain passers by – the Fred Daggs with their blow up cows corralled them, and got down on their knees to walk their stock. Nearby a two legged flock of sheep cavorted around, – phew, they must have been hot in their sheepskin suits. Mean while there were the duck shooters. Camouflaged in army green in front, cleverly painted to visibly create a solid brick wall when they stood side by side behind, their faces smeared black and plastic ducks atop their heads. A festival of Wild food and wild people!We were in for an interesting day.
Dressed as sheep at the Wild Food Festival The men, deciding the Monteith’s tent should be the first port of call, headed for their first beer of the day. Here we met up with three very glamorous US policewomen posing, batons in hand. Others kept it simple with $2 shop cowgirl hats and brightly coloured skirts, shirts and boots. There was always a new group as we circled the crowd. It was New Zealand creativity, in all its glory. The two dollar shops should have had a good week. apparently improve, the more you drank. We started mildly with a cup of refreshing kokoda – fish marinated in fresh lemon juice and dressed with coconut milk, onion and capsicum, from the Pacifica tent. Not very wild, nor even very New Zealand, but definitely very tasty. Realising we would run out of “room” to taste all this festival of wonderfully, weird, wild food had on offer if we over indulged with full portions early in the day, we opted to share the good sized paua(abalone) fritters. Becoming more adventurous, Grace and I decided it was time to try the wines on offer. They fortunately had small samples for a $1, as well as large cups for $4.50. My rosie petals was quite sweet, with less hint of rose petals than I expected. Grace was happy she had only gone for a small gorse flower, although the flavour did apparently improve, the more you drank.
Moving on, we watched men trying to find fresh huhu grubs in a huge pile of rotten wood.Now that really is wild food! Cooked was our style, so we each braved a freshly grilled huhu grub and were pleasantly surprised. They were veeery tasty – slightly crunchy on the outside, and creamy within. Much nicer than the snail we sampled next. With a small garlic butter knob and toothpick provided to dig the snail from the shell, it was disappointingly mild, and somewhat tasteless.
Sampling huhu grubs.........Mmmmmmmmmmmm! Meeting up with Brian and Jim at the muttonbird stall, we enjoyed a portion of this traditional Maori fare. While quite salty it was full of flavour and not at all oily, as we are told. Maybe the cooking method removes the oil?
A delicious fresh whitebait fritter was a real treat for those of us who live further north, where whitebait is rarely available, and usually very pricey. Wild food? Not really - but delicious.
It was time for a break from food, so we found a spot in the large crowd, to watch a performer entertain with his juggling and fire eating act. Using volunteers, he had randomly selected a pretty young girl from the crowd. She had a busy time, holding and passing equipment, and nervously lighting his fire batons when requested, as he proceeded to eat fire. He also co-opted four good strong men, to hold the four ropes holding the pole he climbed, juggling his fire sticks once up the top. The men must have suffered aching arms for the rest of the day – I did not envy them their job. His finale was juggling a chain saw he started, along with 2 balls. A couple nearby were very disappointed the chain didn’t go round. This precaution was much too safe for their likings. Perhaps OSH ( Govt.safety )regulations don’t allow this. By mid afternoon the wild food festival was slowing down.Many stalls had sold out. Jim’s brother, Selwyn – on the Rotary stall selling venison burgers, had sold over 600 burgers by 2.30p.m, much to the disappointment of many. We were keen to try possum pie and were fortunate enough to buy the very last one, which we divided four ways. Mmmmmm…… not unpleasant, despite being a little chewy.
I procrastinated a while, deciding if I could manage the worm sushi, or worm chocolates. I definitely was not a starter for the Redbull drink with worms floating on top. However, somehow worms did not really appeal. I never found the cricket stall. It was there, amongst the huge selection, according to the list. Next time, perhaps.
A Pioneer Tea Stall The two entertainment stages were fronted with a good number of seats and plenty of grassed space for seating. Here we were able to watch a range of performers and bands, and enjoyed several hours of great entertainment. The costumes were judged, prizes awarded, and many were gearing up for the Wild Food Festival dance in the evening.
One of the two concert venues Having spent several hours at the Festival we headed off for a look around Hokitika. Most shops were shut, but if you can stay in or nearby this historic old town, there is plenty to enjoy in the way of craft shops, glass blowing, the greenstone factory and some good restaurants. Several areas had been opened up for camping. Wandering down to the beach, mounds left over from bonfires the night before were covered in sand, and a faint smell of charcoal hung in the air. Many were cooling off in the warm sea, while others were just enjoying the beach.
As we drove out of town, the upstairs railing of the pub, was lined with those clearly set to continue their drinking into the night. It was time for us to leave the young ones to their festivities.We had had enough wild food for one day.It was time to go and wash it down with a good not at all wild wine, of the grape variety.
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