Wild Stories (and they’re all true!)

Let us tell you a story…

Stories from Wild Dunedin and Beyond share the people, places, and passions that make Ōtepoti and the surrounding region, the wildlife capital of Aotearoa. From festival highlights to meeting our contributors, to inspiring conservation mahi across the motu, our stories shine a light on our connection to nature and the incredible efforts being made to protect it for future generations.

O M 4/10/26 O M 4/10/26

Wild Hero 2026: Neville Peat

The New Zealand Festival of Nature is proud to recognise the late Neville Peat as our 2026 Wild Hero, honouring a remarkable lifetime devoted to conservation, storytelling and championing the wild places that make Aotearoa unique.

O M 4/10/25 O M 4/10/25

Wild Hero 2025: Celebrating Jeannie Hayden

Some people dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife. Others dedicate theirs to helping people fall in love with it. Jeannie Hayden has done both.

O M 4/18/24 O M 4/18/24

Wild Hero 2024: Celebrating Dunedin Wildlife Hospital

In 2024, Wild Dunedin's Wild Hero Award recognised an entire team whose dedication is helping secure the future of some of New Zealand's rarest wildlife.

O M 4/20/23 O M 4/20/23

Wild Hero 2023: Celebrating Jim Fyfe

After nearly 40 years protecting Otago's coast and marine wildlife, Jim Fyfe was named Wild Dunedin's 2023 Wild Hero.

O M 4/11/22 O M 4/11/22

Wild Hero 2022: Celebrating Brendan Flack and the EOTMC

In 2022, Wild Dunedin did something a little different. Rather than honouring a single individual, the Wild Hero Award celebrated a collective effort, acknowledging Brendan Flack and the East Otago Taiāpure Management Committee.

Guest User 7/27/21 Guest User 7/27/21

Wild Hero 2021: Celebrating Professor Phil Bishop

We are part of a long list of people, academics, students and conservationists, who considered Phil a true Wild Hero.

Guest User 6/8/21 Guest User 6/8/21

Wild Hero 2020: Celebrating Lala Frazer

Every thriving landscape has people working quietly behind the scenes to protect it. On Otago Peninsula, Lala Frazer has been one of those people for more than four decades.

Jana Reulecke 4/8/20 Jana Reulecke 4/8/20

Wild Hero 2019: Sir Alan Mark

Wild Dunedin presented our first Wild Hero Award to Sir Alan Mark in 2019 at Otago Museum. Born in Dunedin and living most of his life here, Sir Alan is a true local hero who has great mana throughout Aotearoa.