Past Festivals
2016
The very first Wild Dunedin Festival kicked off in 2016 with 38 events over four days from Taiaroa Head to Aramoana, Ross Creek, Sutton Lake, Sinclair Wetlands, St Kilda beach, Pukehiki and many places in between. This was our most geographically diverse Festival. Geoff Simmons from the Morgan Foundation was the Festival guest and he gave a talk on the Foundation’s efforts to create Wildlife Safe Havens through Predator Free NZ, and controlling cats.
2017
After the success of the 2016 Festival, a bigger one took place in 2017 with 70 events over five days. Ruud Kleinpaste aka The Bugman and children’s entertainer Suzy Cato were the Festival guests. A Wild Film Festival showcasing nature films was a highlight, and the first Wild Food Dinner was held at Glenfalloch Restaurant. This year there were competitions for photographers, writers and one for children to draw a sea lion.
Photo: Graham Warman
2018
In 2018 the Festival grew to six days, with Festival guests television and radio host Jesse Mulligan, conservationist Nicola Toki, the team behind Northland’s Backyard Kiwi Campaign, and Ross Sea protection campaigner Peter Young all on board to talk about their love of nature and involvement in conservation work. Local author Neville Peat took on the role of Patron to Wild Dunedin, the newly opened Dunedin Wildlife Hospital came on board, and we started making podcasts.
2019
In 2019 the Festival expanded to seven days and we decided to focus some of the events and activities on freshwater. Having a new focus each year helps to keep the programme fresh and brings a new range of experts into the Festival.
Festival guests in 2019 were television and radio host Stacey Morrison, scientist Dr Mike Joy, and Dr Stella McQueen an expert on NZ’s native freshwater fish. We honoured environmentalist Sir Alan Mark with our first Wild Hero Award.
2020
In 2020 New Zealand went into lockdown on 25 March due to Covid 19, just three weeks before the Festival was due to open. The programmes were already printed, but there were clear signs that the Festival couldn’t go ahead for a few weeks beforehand, so the team went into overdrive creating an online Festival for 28 days. Guests who were scheduled to take part in the Festival, including Suzy Cato, previous guests, and many regular Festival contributors provided content for the virtual Festival. We encouraged people to explore nature in their own backyards, with a focus on Your Wild Bubble. There was a high level of engagement on the website and on social media. Lala Frazer QSM was awarded the Wild Hero award for her work rewilding Otago Peninsula.
2021
In 2021 the Festival focused on rewilding, postponed from 2020, with 68 events. Rewilding means restoring natural habitats, native species, and reconnecting with nature. There was a lot of excitement about this Festival taking place out of lockdown, and there were 80 events over seven days. Children’s entertainer Suzy Cato, musician Anna van Riel, author/illustrator Heather Hunt and photographer Glenda Rees were the Festival guests. The Te Reo Māori name Ōtepoti Mohoao, meaning Wild Dunedin, was adopted. The Wild Hero award was presented to the family of Professor Phil Bishop who helped create Wild Dunedin, for his commitment to protect the environment, especially frogs. Sadly Phil died early in 2021.
2022
Our 2022 Festival had 100 events over seven days, focusing on the sea. He wai ka rere ki te moana – down to the sea. Water flows from the land and rivers into the sea. When we look after our awa, we are also looking after the moana. Our guests were regular favourite with adults and children Suzy Cato, and artists Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. Martin and Philippa created a huge sculpture out of kelp on the sand at low tide at St Kilda beach with the help of members of the community. We introduced deals with outdoor activity providers, new dining events around sustainability, and livestreamed some events. Our Wild Hero was Brendan Flack and the East Coast Taiāpure Management Committee, for their work managing a shared fishery incorporating customary, recreational and commercial fishing interests.
