By Rosemary Baird

It’s festival season for southern heritage fans. 

ŌTEPOTI DUNEDIN: The Southern Heritage Trust has a fun-filled festival celebrating all aspects of Ōtepoti Dunedin’s heritage coming up in October. With the theme ‘Growing Heritage’ the biennial event will treat attendees to a range of opportunities that focus on the remarkable transformations that have shaped Dunedin over time. 

Explore heritage buildings, enjoy an evening of rapid-fire storytelling presented by local experts, or attend ‘Talks After 5pm’, which will showcase local historians and experts. 

Families and children will find much to enjoy on the programme. Dress up for a vintage family picnic to celebrate the Botanic Gardens 160th Birthday, create your own piece of Minecraft in the Dunedin Heritage world, have a go at Lego Spike at the historic Gasworks Museum, or learn how to share stories through Wikipedia workshops.  

Our staff are proud to be involved in supporting the festival. Staff from our Otago/Southland office are hosting Wikipedia workshops with a focus on New Zealand woman architects. Conservation Advisor Susie Farminer is coordinating a symposium with Wellington colleague Kerryn Pollock, who will bring her extensive experience with the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero to the table. Pouārahi Huia Pacey and Otago/Southland Area Manager Sarah Gallagher are presenting at our Talk After 5 Series. And keep an eye out for the photo hunt competition we are running with Dunedin Public Libraries.

Ōtepoti Dunedin Heritage Festival:

DATE: 5-15 October 2023

See the Southern Heritage website and Facebook page for booking information on tours and exhibitions.