News

Book launch: The definitive guide to identifying our native ferns

Good news for fans of native ferns (and who isn’t?). In early August, the definitive, visual guide book to New Zealand ferns was launched at Te Papa. It’s co-authored by Leon Perrie, a good friend of Ōtari known for the wonderful tours he leads introducing people to native plants, and the late Patrick Brownsey, who made a huge contribution to New Zealand botany and natural history. The book is the result of many years of research and identification, both at the museum and in the field, by this pair of botany experts.

The book is clearly set out, introducing a guide to genera, then to individual species. There are heaps of images, and not too many words. ‘It’s the kind of book I would have loved when I was learning about plants,’ said Perrie at the launch. Using the book is easy, confirmed botanist Carol West, until recently our Trust chair, who launched the book. ‘I’d defy anyone who knows nothing about ferns to not be able to find the fern they’re looking for in this book.’

Published by Te Papa Press, the book can be purchased for $50 from our weekend hosts at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Ōtari Visitor Centre.

Posted: 9 August 2024

We have a new Chair - and more

New Chair Kevin O’Connor and Penny SalmondNew Trustee Geoff RidleyOutgoing Chair, Carol West, and Kathy OmblerIn the latest Board of Trustees news: we have a new Chair, a new Trustee, and two new Ōtari Award recipients. This all happened at the AGM, in May.

In line with the Trust’s maximum term rule, Chair Dr Carol West has stood down.

New chair is Kevin O’Connor, a Trustee of several years standing and with a strong conservation background through his decades-long career with the Department of Conservation.

Meanwhile, Ōtari is not losing Carol and her significant botanist knowledge. She will continue to guide tour groups, help with the Thursday Forest Weeders team, and advise whenever needed on matters botanical.

And we welcome our new Trustee, fungi guru Geoff Ridley. Geoff has a distinguished background in forest mycology and pathology, and is well known for the incredibly popular fungi walks he’s guided around Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush for several years.

Penny Salmond, a dedicated volunteer host and tour guide for 13 years, was presented with a deserved Ōtari Award. ‘Being a volunteer here has been a huge learning curve and I’ve loved every minute of it,’ says Penny.

RAMBO trapper and Trustee, Kathy Ombler, was the second Ōtari Award recipient. She’s been writing articles about Ōtari, and trapping, for around 15 years, and became a Trustee in 2022. ‘As a local resident, it feels good to be able to help promote and safeguard such a special place,’ she says.

For more in-depth information, the Trust’s June newsletter is due out soon – available to all members

Posted: 29 May 2024

Moko: Tree of the Year Finalist

The Trust was hugely excited that Moko, our treasured, more than 800 year-old rimu, was announced a finalist for Rākau o te tau - New Zealand Tree of the Year 2024.

For those who don’t know, this event is inspired by the ‘European Tree of the Year’ which began in 2011. It’s not about the biggest or most beautiful tree, butPhoto: Carol West celebrating the heritage that connects us to our trees, and celebrating the trees that play an important part in our future. Which brings us to Moko, possibly the best-loved and most-visited tree in Wellington and considered so important in the place she stands that in 2021 she was gifted her name by mana whenua. Moko hosts an entire forest community in her own right! Crwded over her limbs are epiphytes: astelias, ferns, clubmosses and many other plants including northern rātā and the rare kohurangi, Kirk’s daisy, that was locally extinct in Wellington until its recent return to Ōtari. Forest geckos live in her crown.
In the 1970s Moko and the forest around her were saved from destruction, when plans to cut a road through Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush were stymied by environmentalist, Bob Fantl and supporting locals.

Today the track to Moko is one of the most popular in all of Ōtari. Even a kiwi has been tracked heading her way!

And for an update - being a finlist attracted huge interest and nationwide exposure for Moko and for Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, even if we didn’t win.

Posted: 7 May 2024