The former United Nations Development Programme administrator was ranked by Forbes as the 20th-most powerful woman in the world in 2006, and is recognised globally as a leader in environmental advocacy.
She is also one of the most consistent supporters of Dunedin’s wildlife.
"I have followed Wild Dunedin’s work and advocacy for many years and have been impressed with not only the festival itself, but also the way its platform has educated and inspired people to protect and celebrate our nature and wildlife here in Aotearoa all year round," she said.
The week-long Wild Dunedin New Zealand Festival of Nature is a celebration of the city’s wildlife, and attracts about 30,000 people in April each year.
Festival chairman and co-founder Neil Harraway said it was an honour to have Miss Clark as the patron, not only for her support of local wildlife and Wild Dunedin, but also for her important work on the national and international stage to protect the global environment.
"Helen has an active love of the outdoors, and she has made many hikes and trips into our wild places and many offshore, too."
Wild Dunedin marketing manager Charlie Buchan said it had been inspiring to work with Miss Clark on many wildlife campaigns.
"Helen has always cared deeply about New Zealand’s future.
"She has been a strong supporter of conservation causes and is a great advocate for our hoiho yellow-eyed penguin.
"She has always been a wonderful spokesperson for our festival and city, and we are extremely lucky to now have her officially on board.
Dunedin’s extraordinary wildlife has been front and centre after celebrating national wins in the Bug of the Year with the peripatus (velvet worm), the Bird of the Year with the hoiho, being home to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of northern royal albatross, and home to New Zealand sea lions and the world’s smallest penguin — the little blue penguin/kororā.
"This is another gem in the crown of New Zealand’s wildlife capital. We really are the wildest city," he said.
