News

Annual Writing Extravaganza

It’s that time of year again: you are invited to take part in the Trust’s annual writing extravaganza.

What does Ōtari mean to you? What’s an Ōtari experience you’d like to share? We’re looking for stories (up to 300 words is good), or poetry, a haiku perhaps. And under 12s? We see you at Ōtari, why don’t you take some holiday time to write a story about what you like about the place.

We have native plants, books and beautiful cards to give out for the entries that we think portray Ōtari well. We will also publish the best entries, if you wish, on our website and in our members’ newsletter.

Last year’s stories and poetry were delightfully varied, a tribute to our tuna, a woman from the parched Australian outback relishing the life-giving lushness of Ōtari’s misty forest, a poignant memory of two Trust founders who helped to kick start the regeneration of the Kaiwharawhara valley. You can find them here: https://www.owbt.nz/botanical-art/writing-about-otari-1/

What will this year bring? Please, send your entries to by January 31.

Posted: 29 December 2025

Bogans in the bush

Kākā chick nesting in an old, Ōtari hinau. Photo Rob Suisted/NZ Geographic

Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, in particular its old growth forest that provides great nesting and feeding habitat for kākā, features in this NZ Geographic look at the ‘second coming’ of kākā in Wellington. The species had become extinct in the city until introduced into the predator-free, fenced sanctuary of Zealandia, in 2002. Of course the fence didn’t stop kākā from exploring further afield, and they soon spread and multiplied throughout the wider city, including just down-valley to Ōtari, where they love the old, hollow hinau trees for nesting, and the abundant natural food sources. Years of predator-control by RAMBO, Wellington’s first community volunteer trapping groups, has enhanced the Ōtari habitat and the flashy plumage and boisterous antics of Ōtari’s kākā are now a delight to behold. For a thorough look at kākā in Wellington, the studies being enabled by this flourishing population, and why Kaiwhakahaere Ōtari Manager, Tim Park, affectionately describes them as the bogans of the bush, read the full story here: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/forty-names-for-kaka/

Posted: 26 December 2025

Monthly plant sales pausing for summer

Just to let everyone know that our monthly plant sales are being paused through the holiday season and will recommence on February 14, 2026 (starting 10am at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the visitor centre).

These plant sales have developed a strong fan base of local gardeners. The plants have been propagated in our very own Trust nursery at Ōtari, and chosen deliberately for their suitability to grow in domestic gardens around Wellington. The project fits well with the Trust’s aims to promote awareness of our native flora, and the funds raised go towards plant conservation and education pojects.

Our hard-working Trust nursery volunteers will not be resting through summer though. Jane and Lynley have been working to source an even wider range of native plants suitable for Wellington gardens, and will be busy over summer, propagating and tending these new plants and keeping the nursery stock watered and weeded.

From February, sales will be held monthly on the second Saturday of every month.

Posted: 16 December 2025