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.

The New Zealand Festival of Nature is proud to recognise Jeannie Hayden as our 2025 Wild Hero, celebrating a lifetime of inspiring people to connect with the natural world.

Jeannie has spent decades telling the stories of Aotearoa's wildlife. During her 29 years with Natural History New Zealand, she helped bring the country's remarkable species and wild places into homes across the nation. As production manager of the much-loved children's television series Wildtrack, she introduced a generation of young New Zealanders to the wonders of nature and the importance of protecting it.

Her passion didn't stop with television.

In 2016, Jeannie became the founding Festival Director of Wild Dunedin, helping transform a bold idea into what is now New Zealand's Festival of Nature. Through her vision, the festival has inspired thousands of people to explore the outdoors, discover local wildlife, and celebrate the incredible biodiversity that makes Aotearoa unique.

Whether organising community events, championing conservation projects or creating opportunities for people to experience nature in new ways, Jeannie has always believed that meaningful conservation starts with connection.

Today, she continues that work from her regenerating property on the Otago Peninsula, restoring native habitat and proving that conservation isn't just something we talk about, it's something we live.

Receiving the Wild Hero Award came as a surprise to Jeannie, who has always preferred to shine the spotlight on nature rather than herself. Yet few people have done more to champion wildlife, inspire conservation and encourage others to care for the places and species that make New Zealand so special.

Wild Dunedin Co-founder and Trustee Kerry Buchan said Jeannie's contribution to conservation extends far beyond the festival.

"Jeannie has dedicated her life to giving nature a voice. From inspiring generations through television to helping create a festival that has connected thousands of people with the natural world, her impact has been extraordinary. Wild Dunedin simply wouldn't be what it is today without her passion, generosity and vision."

The Wild Hero Award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting, celebrating and advocating for New Zealand's natural environment.

For Jeannie Hayden, it is a fitting tribute to a lifetime spent helping people discover that the greatest stories are often the ones unfolding right outside our door.