Love for the Lions Lab
From left: Lee Oliver (VuW), Carlos Lehnebach (Te Papa), Carol West (Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust), Crs Matthew Reweti, Sam O’Brien, Laurie Foon and Ben McNulty (with the mahoe), Johnny Osborne and ecologist Rob Smith.We’re feeling loved. A huge thanks to everyone who supported the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory with oral submissions on the Council’s Annual Plan 2026/27. As part of Council’s cost-cutting aims, a $211,000 cut proposed for the Lab would effectively lead to its immediate closure, the loss of our valued Research Technician along with irreplaceable plants and seeds. The Trust, Karori Lions (who largely funded the Lab’s establishment in 2018), ecologist Rob Smith, and partners representing DOC, Te Papa Tongarewa, Te Herenga Waka- Victoria University of Wellington and Wellington BotSoc all delivered compelling reasons to retain the Lab. Submitters asked for lesser funding that would keep the lab open and allow time for developing a viable long term future for the Lab. Councillors were largely receptive, especially when engaging with rare Cooper’s Black and Swamp greenhood native orchids, brought along by Te Papa Botany Curator Carlos Lehnebach, and a Cook Strait mahoe, Melicytus orarius. Trust Chair Carol West explained to Councillors how Taputeranga motu is a local stronghold for this rare mahoe, which is pollinated by geckos and difficult to germinate. Research at the Lab established the best conditions for germination are underneath their own canopy, now several seedlings are flourishing at Ōtari. Thanks, too, to other organisations (Wellington Forest & Bird) and individuals who we know sent persuasive submissions.
Posted: 15 May 2026