BurgerFuel is turning one of New Zealand’s biggest conservation challenges into its wildest burger yet. On the menu from 3 November, the limited-edition Wild & Wagyu combines ethically recovered venison from Fiordland National Park with premium New Zealand Wagyu in a rich, juicy patty designed to bring wild venison to more Kiwi diners.
Developed in partnership with New Zealand wild venison company WITHWILD and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, the burger uses wild venison recovered through the Foundation's long-running deer management programme.
Introduced deer pose an ongoing threat to Fiordland's native forests, browsing young plants and preventing the regeneration of native ecosystems. Working alongside the Foundation, WITHWILD ethically recovers the venison, giving the meat a second life as a premium food product that helps fund future conservation work.
Donald Shepherd, co-founder of WITHWILD, says the partnership is helping change perceptions of wild venison. "Wild venison is one of New Zealand's best-kept food secrets, but most Kiwis rarely get the chance to eat it. This partnership gives more people the opportunity to experience an incredible local protein while helping protect one of our most iconic landscapes.
"We've always believed conservation and great food can go hand in hand. If we're managing these animals to protect Fiordland, we should be making the best possible use of that meat, not letting it go to waste. Every Wild & Wagyu burger sold helps give back to the place it came from, and that's a win for everyone.”
Established in 1993, the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation's deer management programme, including New Zealand's first 'Herd of Special Interest' Wapiti (as announced by the Minister for Hunting & Fishing James Meager early this year,) helps protect precious native ecosystems across more than 190,000 hectares of Fiordland National Park – an area equivalent to around 190,000 rugby fields.
WITHWILD funds the recovery of the venison and returns proceeds to support the Foundation's ongoing conservation work. BurgerFuel will also donate $1 from every Wild & Wagyu sold to the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and The Fiordland Project, helping extend conservation efforts across the wider park.
Head of Marketing at BurgerFuel, Nikki Soons says Wild & Wagyu is proof that great food can make a meaningful contribution to conservation."We're incredibly proud to have helped raise more than $100,000 for the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation through our previous Wild Heart burger. Wild & Wagyu is the next evolution of that story.
"We’ve loved the challenge of taking an ingredient that's often overlooked and turning it into something seriously delicious. By combining wild venison with the rich flavour profile of New Zealand Wagyu, the aim is to introduce more Kiwis to just how exceptional wild venison can taste while supporting the conservation work happening in Fiordland.”
The custom Wild & Wagyu patty is layered with creamy melted brie, sweet poached New Zealand pears, toasted almonds and fresh rocket, then finished with BurgerFuel Plum Sauce and BurgerFuel Aioli. It’s available for a limited time from 3 November at BurgerFuel restaurants nationwide, priced at $23.
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