Nature festival focusing on sea
By ODT - John Lewis | Posted:
When organisers say the New Zealand Festival of Nature is "a happening thing", it has a double meaning.
Not only is it one of Dunedin’s favourite events which encourages residents to get out and experience "our wild places", but the festival nearly failed to take off this year because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Festival director Jeannie Hayden said many events had been postponed or cancelled already this year, but the weeklong festival was going ahead — beginning on April 22 (International Earth Day) and running until April 28.
"It’s a happening thing.
"Our big message is that getting out into nature makes you happy and healthy, so take this opportunity to experience Otepoti’s wild places, our special wildlife and plants during the New Zealand Festival of Nature."
The focus of this year’s festival was the sea, and one of the major events of the celebrations would be the creation of a giant land art sculpture on the beach at Lawyers Head, by Wanaka artists Martin Hill and Philippa Jones.
"The artists want their land art to be a reminder that our human economy needs to move closer to nature, where there is no waste in the environment."
She said the festival would open at Otago Museum with the annual 7x7 Wild Talks, where seven invited speakers get seven minutes to deliver a winning talk on a subject connected to the Festival theme: "He wai ka rere ki te moana — Down to the sea".
Other events over the week included a walk through the Pacific Gallery with local Pasifika experts, tips on growing house plants, a whole day focusing on seals and sea lions, and musical events with Suzy Cato at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital.
Boat trips on the harbour and beyond, deals at the Royal Albatross Centre, Monarch Wildlife Cruises, Larnach Castle, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Penguin Place and many other small events, meant there was plenty to inspire all.