Next Festival

11–22 April 2025

New Zealand Festival of Nature

Our 2024 Festival on weather was a great success – with 28,300 people attending the 140 events. Here’s what they said:

“So amazing to see Dunedin come together for causes promoting nature”.   

There seemed to be something for all ages and areas of interest … It was great that a lot of the sessions were free, especially for families with children...great timing with the school holidays!”     

“An absolute treat. We feel so fortunate to live in such a bountiful place. Even the wildlife seems very relaxed.”

Save the date:  2025 Festival will run from Friday 11 April to Tuesday 22 April (Earth Day) and includes Easter.    

The OPERA

We welcome our new platinum sponsor The OPERA—Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance—previously called Penguin Place. Under the stewardship of new owners, The OPERA is continuing to help save the critically endangered hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), while also protecting all native species of flora and fauna that call the more than 250 hectares home.

Wild Dunedin 2024 Committee

About Wild Dunedin

Wild Dunedin - NZ Festival of Nature has very deep roots in Dunedin, the wildlife capital of Aotearoa. We work with local community groups, businesses, conservationists and nature lovers to share the magnificent wildlife and wild places of our city, and we showcase the work of those who are planting native species, eradicating introduced mammalian predators, and helping populations of native animals of all kinds to flourish.

Read Our Wild Dunedin Stories

Places to Visit

Wild Dunedin
NZ’s Festival of Nature

Dunedin is like no other because of its unique southern ocean animals. Penguins, sea lions, albatross and fur seals love our ocean and they breed right here inside our city’s boundary.

You can see these wild creatures any time, but even better to come in the April school holidays when we celebrate our wildlife and wild places during the Wild Dunedin Festival.

Follow us on Instagram @wilddunedin