With borders still closed, the 2021 NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival has announced two adventurous locals as this year’s headline speakers.

Adventure kayaker Tara Mulvaney and bikepacker Mark Watson will share their wealth of experience at the festival, which is scheduled to run in Wanaka from June 25 to 29 and in Queenstown from July 1 to 3.

Mulvaney is well known for her kayak circumnavigation of Zealand’s three main islands – a world first – and more recently, her solo traverse of the Southern Alps.

Watson, along with his partner Hana Black, spent nearly four years bikepacking the length of the Americas – a journey cut short in Chile by Covid.

“We are grateful to be able to call on such high-calibre local adventurers and authors to present at this year’s event. Both Tara and Mark have incredible stories and we look forward to hearing about their latest expeditions,” festival director Mark Sedon said.

The festival will be broadcast online nationally from June 25 until July 25.