Plans for nature festival

WILD Dunedin nature festival organisers plan to make the event ‘‘New Zealand’s nature festival’’ following a dramatic attendance increase this year.

Festival convener Neil Harraway said the final attendance number was nearly 7000.

About 2000 people attended the inaugural festival last year.

‘‘It was a great result.

‘‘Two days of really good weather and nearly 10 new events helped attract more people.’’

Events on the Otago Peninsula and a nature art exhibition at Dunedin Railway Station attracted 1200 visitors each, Mr Harraway said.

‘‘People are really getting to know that it’s a really good event and good destination.’’

The diversity of those present was particularly heartening.

Festival guest and ecological consultant Ruud Kleinpaste was impressed by the event’s engagement with the public, and had talked to Associate Minister of Conservation Nicky Wagner about the festival, he said.

Such feedback meant festival organisers were ‘‘looking to grow it in all the ways we can’’.

‘‘Our ambition is to make this New Zealand’s nature festival by next year.’’

Organisers would apply to the Dunedin City Council major events fund ‘‘straight away’’ to ensure funding for next year’s festival.

Further efforts to attract visitors from outside Dunedin to the festival, while offering more activities, would be the focus for organisers before next year’s event.

It was unlikely the fiveday festival would be extended next year.

‘‘Certainly we want to grow it, no question about it, but it is working out how to accommodate a lot of events close together.’’