The festival began last night with talks from a variety of scientists at Tuhura Otago Museum.
The opening evening also saw two special awards presented by festival trustee and co-founder Kerry Buchan.
Jeannie Hayden, the festival’s first director, was named the 2025 Wildlife Hero, while Suzanne Middleton, the festival’s first co-ordinator, was honoured as the inaugural Wildlife Ambassador.
"Ten years ago, we had, I think, maybe 3000 people, and a pretty modest slate of events.
"And last year, we had about 28,000 people and about 150 events."
The secret to the festival’s success was its broad appeal.
"It happens during the school holidays, so it gives families lots of stuff to do - but we’ve grown also into more grown-up activities like the sustainable dining series, and our gardening activities."
Turning Forsyth Barr Stadium into a Nature Dome on Sunday was the festival’s most ambitious project, but Mr Harraway said everyone was looking forward to the results.
"It’s a lot of activities and displays showcasing the nature all in one place: from Karitane and Orokonui to the Otago Peninsula to Albatross Centre inland towards Middlemarch and to our southern boundary, the centre of wetlands.
"There’s a lot of entertainment with Suzy Cato, Anika Moa and others on the stage pretty much nonstop."
There will also be the attempt to stage the country’s biggest ever yoga class.
"I think people are always hungry for things to do.
"So there’s a strong community desire and of course Dunedin is the wildlife capital of New Zealand.
"We have a lot to offer out in our nature, a lot of variety and some really unique stuff from the albatross and sea lions and hoiho - it’s the only place that they all come together."
The festival runs until April 22.
