The Great New Zealand Possum Initiative
Help us solve a major environmental problem in New Zealand. You can help us turn a pest into the world's first eco-friendly fur product to protect your smartphone, tablet computer or even your insulin pump.
New Zealand's world class reputation of being 100% clean, green and unspoilt is in grave and very real danger of being seriously damaged by a creature that has some remarkable properties. The possum has an anti-static fur that will protect screens from dust and dirt and sensitive electronics from unexpected electrical interference.
We want to tan their little anti-static hides and turn them into valuable wireless accessories.
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Tucked away down-under, at the bottom of the planet, New Zealand is a group of isolated islands. Uninhabited by man since the dawn of time, it was one of the last places on earth without any mammals; where the wild vegetation (the bush) and the bird life is totally unique.
Watch this: song for the New Zealand bush.
In New Zealand, possums are our most dangerous pest.
In an environment that never knew mammals before the arrival of man, the possum has thrived.
In most countries possums (or opossums) are usually regarded as harmless, cute little furry creatures that live in the wild.
Imported from Australia in 1837 - over 150 years ago, the Australian Brush Tailed Possum escaped into New Zealand - God's own Garden of Eden, where they have no natural enemies and bred – like possums!
In a land which once had an estimated 40 million sheep and 20 million possums, the opposite is now true.
Latest statistics count 31 Million sheep in New Zealand and, according to New Zealand's Department of Conservation, over 40 Million possums.
NZ spends more than $50 million a year on pest controls, including the aerial distribution of a highly toxic poison that kills every living thing that eats it.
Watch this video to learn more about 1080 poisoning.
Every night New Zealand’s more than forty million strong possum population munches its way through an estimated two container ship loads of native forest - destroying our unique wilderness. Possums massacre our rare native bird-life, stealing more than 20 million eggs every night and killing the chicks in their nests. They also spread the highly contagious and debilitating livestock disease, bovine tuberculosis and threaten vital New Zealand exports.
What can we do?
While they may not have any natural enemies, the possum's pelt is highly valued.
There is already a well established export market for possum by-products; fur and hides.
As well as having an ultra-strong hide and fur that is a highly effective natural insulation, possum pelt is ultra-dense and anti-static.
Anti-static possum pelt is perfect for protecting Smartphones, tablet computers, medical equipment and mobile industrial devices by repelling dust and dirt and safeguarding against electrical interference.
Possum lining the inside of a cellphone belt case
Possum lining for a Tablet computer case
Possum facing in a smartphone wallet.
We have a Plan - but we need your support
Since 1999 Nutshell has been supplying high quality New Zealand made leather holsters and cases to customers worldwide through our website tuff-as-nuts.com.
In that time we have earnt an enviable reputation for crafting and delivering products that truly are 'Tuff as Nuts'.
We have provided unparalleled protection for generations of handheld PDAs, cellphones, smartphones, portable computers and personal medical devices like Insulin Pumps.
In fact we have been so successful in our efforts that we are the only Vendor to Amazon.com's wireless accessory division in Australasia.
With your support we can ramp up our production to locally build millions of eco-friendly possum lined product and deliver them into one of the world's largest online markets.
We cannot do this alone.
We strongly believe that we have an opportunity to play our small part in helping rid New Zealand of the possum, its most significant ecological threat.
To make this a success we have to harvest possum from the forest and that's where we need your support - to cover the costs of a pilot project; developing the strategies, training the people and fine-tuning the manufacturing processes .
In return, we'll thank you for your generous contribution and send you a postage paid gift of some unique New Zealand made possum products. We also promise that you will be among the first on the planet to own your very own eco-friendly, anti-static fiber lined case to hold your next smartphone, tablet or medical device.
You know that every product made means a possum less to destroy the New Zealand bush.
When You Fund Us We'll Reward You with
New Zealand made Possum Products
The Little Possum Kiwi
This little fellow is clothed in possum pelt.
A small New Zealand token that will bring a smile - and appeal to the child in everyone.
The Possum Dust Buster
A wonderful little tool that displays the anti-static nature of possum pelts perfectly.
Possum/Merino Gloves
Shown here in 'natural' these gloves are ideal for cold weather, especially if you have to use a touch screen device like a Smartphone or Tablet computer.
Manufactured in New Zealand from a blend of possum fibre and merino wool.
Possum Merino Scarf
For her. These luxurious scarves will be available in the latest fashion colors and are guaranteed to keep the chills at bay. No matter where you live.
For him. Warm and chill beating possum/merino woven scarves are a perfect gift for yourself, or the person who has nearly everything.
Learn more about this pest
- Learn about The Common Brushtailed Possum
- Learn about The damage this pest does to New Zealand's native forest and birds
- Learn about the BlueGreen ecological movement
- Learn more about New Zealand's Political Bluegreens
- Check out our Facebook Page - The Great New Zealand Possum Initiative
"Thank you for helping us make this world a better place."
Contact us at:
NOTE: The images and videos used in this proposal are the acknowledged copyright of the respective owners.
The result of the funding assistance to date.
Here's a link to a look at the prototype product using antistatic possum.
http://tuff-as-nuts.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/1st-look-possum-smartphone-po...
Gaining media attention is always a good way of promoting any deal that is looking for funding. Opinions and feedback is very positive, even though support is slow to grow. There will always be a body opposed to any form of animal harvesting, even though in this case it is a pest we are trying to get rid of. A pest that is doing serious damage to our environment, which is why getting rid of possums in New Zealand has been sanctioned by the World Wildlife Fund as well as New Zealand's Forest and Bird Society. It is not too late. You can help. Please do.
Meanwhile, we have crafted a large clutch style wallet to hold the most modern smartphones and we are experimenting with the use of shorn possum pelt as a wiping surface inside the case to cover and protect the device. Added value that adds protection.
We have just punched out an email to over ten thousand registered and validated nutshell customers.
Some have swiftly kicked our approach into touch while others keep coming back time and time again.
We'll have a way better feel for progress tomorrow...but within the first couple of hours two good people have seen the value of supporting us and voted with their pocketbooks. THANK YOU!
Those funds are going directly into creating the knives we need to make the sample products.
Cutting carbon fiber needs a whole new approach to production techniques.
Imagine - owning your very own possum lined antistatic ecofriendly leather nutshell wallet or pouch.
You'll be one of the first people on the planet.
Now that's something to dream on :-)
We didn't specifically ask anyone to tweet or FB or in any other way share with social media...but hey, this is the 21st Century.
I really do believe anyone who seriously wants to give us a hand will be telling ALL their friends, relatives and contacts about us..
I mean, how much does it take to make a campaign go truely viral?
From the heart iof possum country
Ian
We have begun promoting this initiative through social media. In addition we are bringing it to the attention of anyone we believe may be able to assist us reach our objective. You can help by sharing with your friends and networks.
Many thanks
