New Zealand’s first ‘ocean-grown’ festival draws thousands
New Zealand’s inaugural ‘ocean-grown’ festival, Seaweed Fest 2025, marked a significant milestone in Wellington, drawing thousands of attendees. The event, organized by the Love Rimurimu project lead Zoe Studd, received an overwhelming response from the community. Studd expressed her gratitude for the community’s interest and enthusiasm during the festival, emphasizing its importance as a potential successor to the well-known Homegrown festival.
From March 1 to 9, a diverse array of seaweed-themed events captivated attendees in Wellington. The festival featured engaging activities such as a seaweed tattoo flash day, edible seaweed tastings, behind-the-scenes tours of Te Papa’s seaweed collections, expert talks, mystery movie night at the Roxy, seaweed film and photography exhibitions, and a sea shanty sing-along that concluded the festivities. Love Rimurimu, which is part of Mountains to Sea Wellington, originally started as an education program before transitioning into an active restoration initiative.
Unfolding at a time when many summer festivals were called off, Seaweed Fest 2025 was a unique celebration dedicated to appreciating underwater forests. Studd’s decision to commence the festival stemmed from a desire to honor these vital underwater ecosystems in Wellington and encourage community involvement in their restoration. While funding for the festival posed a challenge, Studd forged ahead based on the community’s anticipated enthusiasm, reflecting the city’s profound appreciation for marine ecosystems.
Wellington’s coastlines and communities benefit immensely from the restoration of seaweed forests, a primary focus of the Love Rimurimu project. Studd underscored the significance of community participation in the project, emphasizing that safeguarding and revitalizing coastal ecosystems requires collective effort. By fostering community engagement and awareness through events like Seaweed Fest, the Love Rimurimu team seeks to ignite public interest in Wellington’s vibrant seaweed biodiversity.
Seaweed Fest succeeded in instilling a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of seaweeds, inspiring festival-goers to reconnect with and protect these critical ecosystems. Moving forward, Love Rimurimu intends to build on this momentum and further engage the community in conservation efforts. The festival’s resounding success has laid a solid foundation for ongoing initiatives aimed at preserving and celebrating New Zealand’s marine environment, serving as a testament to the power of community-driven conservation endeavors.