The common possum was introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 for the fur trade.
Possums have thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, pointy noses, and large, pointy ears.
These possums have now spread across most of New Zealand.

According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), possums are one of the biggest threats to New Zealand's natural environment.
Possums have a major impact on many of New Zealand's natural ecosystems.
With almost no natural predators, their population continues to grow and it is estimated that there are currently around 30 million possums living in New Zealand.

Although leaves are the possum's main diet, they are omnivores and will also eat flowers, buds, fruits, berries and nectar.
This means that possums compete with native birds and reptiles for food sources, and the balance of tree and plant growth and life cycles is greatly affected if entire parts are eaten.
Possums also eat the eggs and chicks of endangered bird species such as the kiwi and kokako.
They often occupy nesting cavities in tree trunks, disrupting the nesting of birds such as kakariki and saddlebacks.

In New Zealand, possums are considered a pest and an initiative called " Predator Free 2050 " is being carried out to reduce their population.

Kapeka uses possums captured through a pest control process to develop fibres such as Merino silk and Mahana cashmere.
Using possum hair also helps reduce the amount of synthetic fibres used.

Possum fur is hollow, which makes it excellent insulators and very lightweight.
It's also incredibly soft, with the fibre being 35% warmer than cashmere knitwear and 50% warmer than merino wool knitwear.
It has been tested and validated by the University of Otago, New Zealand.
Possum hair combines with merino wool to create a soft and warm fiber.

Check out Kapeka Merino Silk and Mahana Cashmere , which are made from possum hair.

The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) support the use of possum hair.
By buying Kapeka knitwear you are supporting New Zealand's conservation and helping to protect native birds, including kiwis.