News

Welcome to our new gardener

Or rather, welcome back! Lucy Williams, just appointed to the role of Gardener – Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, is returning after spending four months here as an apprentice last summer. Lucy has completed a BSc, majoring in Zoology and Ecology, worked in a Nelson retail nursery for two years and began her Amenity Horticulture Apprenticeship with WCC’s Wellington Gardens last year. Her interest in native species stems from the huge diversity of plants she discovered while tramping around the hills of Nelson and Tasman. At Ōtari, she’s looking forward to learning more about our threatened species, being part of projects such as the conservation of rātā moehau (metrosideros bartlettii), and working with the Ōtari team again. ‘It’s awesome to work alongside a group so passionate about caring for native species.’ With Megan Ireland also returning from a six-month secondment to Wellington Botanical Gardens, Ōtari now has a full complement of gardening staff.

Posted: 2 August 2025

Ōtari’s Wardian Case is worth a look

Ōtari’s Wardian Case is often worth a closer look, right now is a good time to check it out. Wellington Gardens apprentice, Cloud Jordan, has curated a ‘who knew’ display describing native insects and spiders, the important roles they play in our ecosystems and the relationships they form with specific native plants. There is drama in the telling. Our common stick insects are in fact cryptic ‘masters of disguise herbivorous phasmids’ that mimic the twigs and leaves of their host manuka, making them all but invisible from predators. The karaka tree is a nursery for our giraffe weevil, where ‘females meticulously bore angled holes into the tree’s bark to lay single eggs, a process that attracts males vying for mating opportunities’. The native fishing spider doesn’t just live in ponds, it also hides in the divaricating branches of Muehlenbeckia astonii in order ‘to ambush prey with stealth and precision’. There’s the native praying mantis on its host kanuka, and much more.

What even is a Wardian Case, you may ask? The terrarium-style container was originally designed for transporting plants on long sea voyages (tea plants from China to England, for example). Today, the concept is mainly used for display. Ōtari’s Wardian Case can be found on the deck outside Tāne Whakapiripiri, the visitor centre, near the canopy walkway. It was funded by the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust, and the displays keep changing. Don’t miss this one, thanks Cloud.

Posted: 2 July 2025

Matariki, te taiao ora and Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush

The celebration of Matariki is intrinsically linked to te taiao, the natural world and the interconnection with people and nature. Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush fits well within te taiao. Let’s consider some of the Matariki cluster of stars, and their influence. Waipuna-ā-rangi welcomes the winter rains that nourish our ngahere (forest) and gardens. Waiti watches over the streams and waterfalls. Tupu-ā-rangi looks out for the ngahere, manu (birds) and all the other native wildlife that make our forests thrive, and which our community works to protect through weeding and predator control. Tupu-ā-nuku encourages us to consider what we plant, with special interest in our edible plants. In Ōtari, for just some examples, the native uhurere, or pūhā (pictured), kawakawa (pepper tree), kokihi (NZ spinach), and tī kōuka (cabbage tree) all thrive. And Matariki, the mother of all the stars in the cluster, gathers everyone together, connects them with our environment and inspires people to do the same. This is the essence of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Come visit us. Mānawatia a Matariki.

Posted: 20 June 2025