Clementine Ford. Photo: Twitter

Opposition from a men's group to a visit by an Australian feminist writer has prompted increased security at a Dunedin writing festival.

But a petition opposing the visit of Clementine Ford has been given short shrift by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, who said it verged on hate speech itself.

Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival programme director Claire Finlayson confirmed the festival was taking ''precautionary measures'' because of an online petition opposing the visit of Ford to both the Dunedin and Christchurch festivals.

Ford's outspoken views have been controversial for some.

Her latest book, Boys Will Be Boys, focuses on toxic masculinity and how boys are ''socialised by the patriarchy''.

''We're just trying to make sure our guests feel comfortable, really,'' Ms Finlayson said of the increased security.

The petition calls on central and local government figures, including Mr Cull, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to stop Ford's visit.

It says Ford's ''influence and violence incitement'' against men could have a detrimental impact on New Zealanders' health.

Ms Finlayson said the petition had uptake ''within certain kinds of echo chambers on social media''.

Ms Ford's comments had been taken out of context and used to ''de-platform'' her.

''We're aware of that, and we're just wanting to make her trip here comfortable, really.''

Mr Cull went further in an email response to the change.org petition.

The petition raised Twitter posts Ford has made, which it said promoted ''gendercide of men''.

''I will be ignoring your 'petition','' Mr Cull wrote.

''Your campaign is one of misinformation and verges on hate speech itself.

''The tweets used by many of those seeking to discredit Clementine Ford have spun so far out from their original context that they've taken on a different and warped life.''

He said Ford advocated for a world without violence, one in which men were not bound by rigid codes of masculinity.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz