The Southland Rhododendron Group (SRG) held its 31st annual festival on Sunday 19 October 2025 in the Gore Gardens. Despite a windy and rainy forecast, the event went ahead and drew an estimated 1,500 members of the public, along with 30 musicians, 25 SRG members, and 64 stallholders. The festival made use of St Andrews Hall for a colourful rhododendron bloom display and best bloom competition, won by committee member Mrs Shona Forbes. Devonshire teas were provided by the local Soroptimist Club, and the Wyndham Floral Art Club contributed a much-admired floral arrangement. Live music throughout the gardens included performances by Steve Hamlin & Kayla Wilcox, the Invercargill Big Band, Ascot Park Invercargill Brass Band, and the Hokonui Celtic Pipe Band.

The festival offered a relaxed springtime atmosphere, with free entry allowing people to gather, enjoy music, browse stalls, and share lunch together while the weather held. Stallholders sold a wide range of plants, arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, and food from Filipino, Malaysian, South African, and Kiwi cuisines. Attendance was slightly down due to rain arriving at 2.45pm, but feedback reflected appreciation that the event could still proceed. Support from the Hokonui Hauora Fund helped cover venue hire at St Andrews Hall and sanitation requirements through Ihire Gore Ltd, contributing to the smooth running of the day.