Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust • New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants

Charitable Trust dedicated to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
A Six-star Garden of International Significance
One hundred hectares of ancient and regenerating forest
New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants
1100 native plant species, hybrids and cultivars all within five hectares
Walking trails and paths, picnic lawns, guided walks, guided talks and volunteer opportunities
Birdsong, eels, koura, wētā, skinks, glow worms, and more
Free entry and open all hours

Centenary Year

On October 12, 1926, the Ōtari Open-air Native Plant Museum was opened. This was the forerunner of today’s Ōtari-Native Botanic Garden.

For news of Centenary events, walks and talks, scholarships and other announcements watch our website and social media, also Wellington Gardens website and social media.

At 3pm, on Monday, October 12, 2026, an official ceremony took place at Ōtari to mark the centenary, exactly 100 years to the day and time since the Ōtari Open-air Native Plant Museum was opened. In attendance were the Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro, His Worship the Mayor, the Honorable Andrew Little, descendants of Job Wilton, Dr Leonard Cockayne and J.G. MacKenzie, plus many Ōtari supporters. A celebratory function for invited guests and Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust members followed. A Community Centenary Picnic, open to all locals, families and friends who love Ōtari, will be held on November 14 (from midday) on the Troup Lawn.

Nau mai haere mai ki Ōtari

The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust was established to support the preservation of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, and to build public awareness about the unique plant diversity found both here and throughout New Zealand. Welcome to our website.

Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush encompasses the five hectare Ōtari Native Botanic Garden, New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants, and Wilton’s Bush Reserve, 100 hectares of mature and regenerating native forest, original podocarp/northern rātā forest once common across the Wellington Peninsula.

It is designated a six-star Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand’s Gardens Trust of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.

Walking trails and paths traverse the plant collections, forests and streams. Native birdlife is prolific. People who visit Ōtari include botanists and conservation scientists, garden enthusiasts, education groups, friends and families, along with our community of Trust volunteers who work in myriad ways to help care for this special place.

Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Visitor Centre, is open daily, while the neighbouring Leonard Cockayne Centre is available for hire for small meetings and events.

The Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory, a centre for conservation science research, is based at Ōtari.

Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is managed by the Wellington City Council. An on-site team of the Council’s Wellington Gardens staff care for the gardens, forest, tracks and other facilities.

The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust supports the preservation of Ōtari through advocacy and volunteer work, and fosters public awareness, education and enjoyment through guided walks, seminars, events and providing funding for conservation research and education.

You’ll find us just a few kilometres from Wellington’s CBD.

Otari-Wilton’s Bush is open daily. Entry is free. Tāne Whakapiripiri Visitor Centre is open 7.00am - 4pm daily.
The main entrance is at 150 Wilton Road, Wilton.