Wild Hero 2026: Neville Peat

There are few people who have shaped the way New Zealanders understand and appreciate the natural world quite like 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.

For more than 50 years, Neville gave nature a voice. As an award-winning author, journalist and photographer, he published more than 40 books exploring New Zealand's landscapes, wildlife, history and people. His ability to bring the natural world to life encouraged generations of readers to look more closely at the places around them and understand why they deserved protection.

His connection to Wild Dunedin is woven into the festival's history. It was Neville's acclaimed book Wild Dunedin, published in 1995 with Brian Patrick, that inspired the festival's name and celebrated Dunedin as New Zealand's Wildlife Capital. When the festival launched in 2016, Neville became its Patron, generously sharing his knowledge, encouragement and passion as the event grew into New Zealand's Festival of Nature.

Neville's impact reached far beyond the page. He served on the Otago Regional Council and Dunedin City Council, supported numerous conservation organisations, helped secure World Heritage status for New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands and became one of the country's most respected voices for the environment. Long before climate change and biodiversity loss were part of everyday conversation, Neville was encouraging people to think differently about the future of our natural world.

Wild Dunedin Co-founder Kerry Buchan said Neville's legacy continues to shape both the festival and conservation across New Zealand.

"Neville had an extraordinary gift for helping people see the beauty and value of the natural world. His writing inspired action, his generosity inspired people, and his passion helped shape Wild Dunedin from the very beginning. We owe so much to his vision and are honoured to recognise him as our 2026 Wild Hero."

The Wild Hero Award celebrates those who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting and celebrating New Zealand's natural environment.

Neville's books, photographs and advocacy leave an enduring legacy, reminding us that the greatest treasures aren't buried beneath our feet, but are found in our forests, coastlines, wildlife and the people who care for them.