News

Community and plants the stars of a great Open Day

Jane and Andrew gathering plants from the Trust Nursery.Community and plants were the obvious themes at the annual Ōtari Open Day, on September 14.

Plant sales were hugely popular – this was the first Open Day that all the plants on sale were propagated from the Ōtari collections in the Trust’s own nursery, thanks to the huge efforts of Jane Humble, Lynley Trower and other volunteers, supported by Ōtari garden staff. Ōtari gardeners and expert Behind the scenes, Ōtari Nursery tourbotanists were on hand to advise those keen to spread the native plant love into their home gardens.

Others took the chance for a tour of the special plants being raised in the Ōtari Nursery.

Meanwhile, local experts were on hand Learning with Tū Mātou Orato discuss everything from kiwi in the capital, to predator, dog and weed control, botany and community and volunteer conservation.

Kids and big kids learned of traditional wellbeing activities with Tū Mātau Ora, raranga with Ōtari Raranga Weavers, rongoā with rangatira Sharli Solomon, Making putiputiand discovered little crawlie things through the microscopes at Open Lab.

Fungi guru and new Trustee, Geoff Ridley, was the delighted raffle-winning recipient of Judi Lapsley Miller’s stunning artwork: ‘Kererū on kōwhai’.

It was great to see so many people enjoying the day, said Ōtari Manager, Tim Park. ‘We are very lucky to have such an engaged network of supporters A buzzy placein the local community and it’s always great to see people and share plant stories.’

Trust Chair, Kevin O`Connor, agreed there was a lovely community feel about Open Day this year. ‘Thanks to everyone involved, especially the Council’s Wellington Gardens staff who all did a great job.’

Posted: 15 September 2024

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