Hokitika Wildfoods Festival: Thousands flock for wild food weekend

Mountain oysters, huhu grubs, locusts and mealworms are all part of a lengthy list of weird and wonderful foods on offer at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.

The long-running event, which began in 1990, has become one of the West Coast’s most recognisable celebrations of adventurous eating.

On Saturday, the festival is expected to welcome around eight thousand people through its gates, many of them eager to sample foods they would rarely encounter elsewhere.

Festival director Melanie Anderson said a mix of factors continued to draw people to the event each year, from the unique menu to the laid-back atmosphere.

“It’s fairly relaxed, and there’s a wide range of demographics that attend the festival,” she said.

“We’ve got some nice hot spicy treats, and then we’ve got some plant-based as well.

“There’s the full range of items to test the taste buds, but also satisfy the taste buds as well.”

Thousands of people are heading to the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival this weekend. Photo / Supplied

She said people travelled from around the country to experience the event, whether determined to try something unusual or simply curious about what was on offer.

“There are a lot of people who just want to try something different.

“You don’t walk into a restaurant and get served up mountain oysters.”

The festival has built a reputation for celebrating a distinctive approach to food, often highlighting ingredients that are locally sourced or unconventional.

Thousands of people are heading to the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival this weekend. Photo / Supplied

For many visitors, tasting items such as huhu grubs or wild game is part of the appeal, offering an experience that goes well beyond a typical food festival.

However, the event is not just about what is on the plate.

Live entertainment also plays a major role in creating the festival’s atmosphere, with a lineup that spans several well-known New Zealand acts.

Performers this year include The Lady Killers, Annie Crummer, rock pop band Tadpole, Kiwi group Sonar Flare and one of the country’s most recognisable musicians, Sir Dave Dobbyn.

Huhu grubs are part of a lengthy list of fascinating foods available at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. Photo / Supplied

Anderson said the festival also provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the wider West Coast region.

Many visitors arrive on the West Coast for the food, but the event often encourages them to explore the area’s other offerings

The region’s scenery, outdoor activities and hospitality are nearby for those who wish to explore the region further.

“We want people to come for the festival on the day, but stay for a week and explore everything that the West Coast has to offer, from Karamea down to Haast,” Anderson said.

“This is my sixth year involved with the festival, so I have already tried all the weird and wonderfuls,” Anderson said when asked what she would be testing out this year.

“I’ll be looking this year to see what we’ve got that’s new and obviously giving that a whirl.”

But for one thing remains true for both locals and visitors alike - the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is a celebration of curiosity, creativity and unique flavours.