News

More good news from the valley

Jonathan KennettIn early November, the second working bee of Ōtari’s ‘Kaiwharawhara Restoration Revisitation’ took place.

Nine skilled volunteers recorded native plant growth and took out hundreds of weeds from sites 14 and 17, and removed several floors worth of old carpet squares. Lightwells were also created around many magnificent climax species, enabling them to thrive.

The work was part of the revisitation of the major reforestation project in the Kaiwharawhara Valley, run by Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall and supported by the Trust.

Since 2001, the once weed-infested valley has become filled with native forest. Volunteers planted and cared for more than 55,000 seedlings, while conservationists Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall completed a ten-year study of 22 monitoring plots in the valley to determine the survival rates for the species planted. Now, 20 years on, Kennett and Wall plan to revisit all 22 plots.

Dr Carol West measuring growthWhen planted in 2003, the 3x10 metre monitoring plot on Site 14 contained 68 native plants and 11 species. Now there are 212 plants made up of 27 species! The volume and diversity of native plants is fantastic, says Jonathan. ‘Site 17 has been just as successful. The number of native plants has gone from 49 to 145 in the last 23 years, and the diversity of species has increased from 11 to 26! This site now has trees up to 10 metres tall. The growth and diversity are uplifting, I can’t wait to do the next sites.’

The revisitation project will continue along the valley through summer.

Posted: 21 November 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