News

Postgraduate Research Scholarship - open for applications

The Trust is delighted to announce, in association with Victoria University of Wellington, that applications have opened for the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust Postgraduate Research Scholarship. The scholarship, established to celebrate Ōtari’s Centenary Year, is for postgraduate study related to native terrestrial biota.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington in either a Master’s Research programme or Doctoral programme.
• Applicants research must include some aspect of our terrestrial biota (preferably plants, fungi or invertebrates) and could include either a science or te ao Māori approach.
• Applications researching historical, sociological and cultural aspects of either our biota, native bush reserves, or botanic/native plant gardens are also eligible.

Study area(s): Humanities and Social Sciences; Science

Scholarship level: Doctoral; Master’s Research

Closing date(s): 30 April

Tenure: One year

Award for: International; Domestic

Number offered: One

Value: $5,000 (subject to available funds)

For further details and to apply, please visit: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships/current/Otari-wiltons-bush-trust-postgraduate-research-scholarship

Posted: 6 April 2026

Ōtari is open - no exceptions!

When the big winds blow and the big trees yield, the big cranes are called in to tidy up. The good news is that Ōtari’s Fernery is again open – as are all the tracks throughout Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, since completion of a significant clean up after that February storm.

Sadly, as nature had its way a few big trees were lost, including one old tawa that had been left hanging in precarious position beside the Fernery boardwalk. Thanks to the tree guys for making it safe again.

Posted: 16 March 2026

Ōtari is open, with a few exceptions

There’s been a massive clean up since February’s storm. Staff have been out to monitor all the tracks, many windfalls have been cleared and Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is essentially open. However the Fernery and parts of Te Ara Tūpopo, the Red Track, will remain closed, awaiting expert arborist attention. Tawa trees in the Fernery are particularly vulnerable, and the movement of one has damaged the walkway. Please observe the barriers while staff work to make Ōtari fully safe, in what has been the biggest storm impact since the June 2013 event.

Posted: 4 March 2026