In regards to "wild" mushrooms (those growing wild), it probably varries accross the country, and I certainly have no idea about other countries such as NZ. But in my area the rule of thumb is that during the spring of the year you can pick any mushroom growing and it is safe to eat, but during the fall you better know what your picking or you can be poisined. Of course proper cleaning/washing prior to preparing them to eat is a common sense thing. And they are soooo goooood.
