For the first time in its 28-year history, Dunedin's Rhododendron Festival will not take place this year.
The festival's trust has decided that due to the number of events being held in September-October this year, it was best to take a break, trust chairman Paul Mutch said.
The trust found it particularly difficult to find dates for the festival that did not clash with other events and also to find suitable venues, he said.
It was not a reflection on the festival's success but more wanting to ensure the festival did not get overshadowed by all the activity happening "down at the stadium", Mr Mutch said.
"We thought it was best to preserve our resources for use next year."
Some highlights of the festival such as the garden tours and Rhododendron Day at the Botanic Gardens he believed would still go ahead, he said.
The festival first held in 1984 had kept growing over the years and last year's was considered to be one of its biggest, he said.
Otago Peninsula Trust trustee Judy Bell said the trust, which runs Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens which participated in the festival, was disappointed with the decision.
However, Glenfalloch would be open to visitors and be holding events during that period.
