News

Why not join our Heritage Tour?

Korimako, Tony Stoddard wildbirds.nzWhy does Ōtari have the single largest collection of native plants in the country? And the oldest native forest in Wellington city? What important centenary will be celebrated next year? Who built the huge rock garden (by hand)? What happened to the curator’s vegetable garden? Who took a barrowload of dead kākā to the poultry shop, and why that was OK (kind of). What was this korimako (bellbird) mother up to in Ōtari this month? All these questions, and more, will be answered in our upcoming Heritage Festival Guided Tour, Saturday November 1st. The tour starts at 2pm, meet at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Ōtari visitor centre. Book at https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/heritage-of-otari-wiltonrs-bush-the-gardens-and-gardeners/wellington

Posted: 22 October 2025

It was a great start to the Restoration Revisitation

It’s official, we have a real native forest, with natural regeneration now well underway in Ōtari’s Kaiwharawhara valley.

A volunteer team made up of ecologists, botanists and several ‘originals’ – those who were at the coal face 25 years ago when replanting of the once weed-choked valley began - joined the first ‘restoration revisitation’ on October 18. The project is being led by Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall with support from the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust. All of the 22 original monitored sites will be revisited to determine the progress of various species planted.

Early results were exciting. On ‘Site 10’, a 3x10m plot where 50 trees and 10 species had been planted, there are now 25 native species and 247 native plants in total. ‘Some of the original tree planters from 25 years ago could not believe that it was a planted forest, said Jonathan. ‘Self-seeded arrivals included kohekohe, porokaiwhiri, kawakawa, rewarewa and hengehenge, as well as a variety of vines and ferns. We also found five weed species (39 plants) which have been pulled out. Site 10 is winning big time!’ Trust botanists (pictured above) Maggie Bayfield, Dr Carol West and Susan Timmins did the measuring and species identification.

Other volunteers helped to clear lightwells above climax species, while three wool fadges were filled with old carpet squares, originally used as mulch around some plantings but now impeding growth. The Kennett brothers, Jonathan and Simon, also dealt to a very much unwanted Clematis vitalba, discovered lurking in the undergrowth (pictured at right).

The next working bee will be on November 15, 9am to noon (meet at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the visitor centre).

Posted: 19 October 2025

Revisiting the restoration

Ōtari’s Kaiwharawhara Valley sets a benchmark for community restoration.

It now has a new chapter, and you could be involved!

Since 2001, the once weed-infested valley has become filled with native forest. While volunteers planted and cared for more than 55,000 seedlings, conservationists Jonathan Kennet and Bronwen Wall completed a ten-year study of 22 monitoring plots in the valley to determine the survival and growth rates for the species planted.

Now, 20 years on, Kennett and Wall plan to revisit all 22 plots, measure the trees, create light holes for climax species and assess where more planting is needed. The project aims to provide invaluable, long-term data to benefit future restorations, and is supported by the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.

Volunteers are being invited to help clean each of the 22 plots, remove old carpet ‘mulch’ along with tradescantia and other weeds. Some revegetation experience would be helpful, but guidance will be given. The first working bee will kick off on Saturday October 18, from 9am and run for 2 to 3 hours. If you’re keen, meet at Tāne Whakapiripiri, Ōtari’s visitor centre, by 9am.

Posted: 11 October 2025