Sue Smith, Kea Scout acting leader for the Coastal Otago zone, said the anniversary marked an important milestone in the development of Kea clubs in the area.
Kea clubs cater for children aged 6 to 8 years, and initially involved only boys.
Girls have also been included since 1989.
Dunedin and other Coastal Otago Keas marked the anniversary at the West Taieri Scout Hall in Outram on Saturday by making things, including party hats, as well as applying face paint, going for tractor rides and having afternoon tea.
They also heard a talk by Ena Leckie, the former leader of the Wakari Kea Club.
Established in 1979, this was the first Kea club in Coastal Otago.
About 200 people, including Kea leaders, parents and some other scouts, attended the celebrations.
Mrs Smith, who has been a Kea leader for the past 20 years, said that from small beginnings Keas had become more popular over the years, with about 18 clubs involving about 150 members, now operating in the coastal zone.
The clubs played a vital role in the wider scouting movement, providing future members for Cub and Venturer Scout groups, she said.
Keas and Scouts enabled young people to take part in healthy physical activities, to develop creative and social skills, and to make new friends.
Parents were increasingly seeing this as a positive alternative to youngsters simply playing computer games or watching television, Mrs Smith said.
