Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari - Ōtari Open Day: September 19
Kākā, kōwhai and Open Day, all happening this Saturday. Tony Stoddard WildBirdsNZAs we do each Spring, we invite everyone along to discover the people, plants, and projects around Ōtari and our conservation community.
From 10am to 2pm. (Rain day Sunday September 20.)
There’s a special treat this year: BBQ Centenary Sausages, read on!
Open Day highlights:
The Trust’s Native Plant Sale – all plants raised in the Trust’s Ōtari nursery
Behind-the-scenes tours, with Ōtari staff
For kids - the ‘Discovery Den’ (a cosy canvas camp on the kauri lawn) where young explorers can check out natural treasures through microscopes and magnifiers, sketch, read, and learn about the ngahere.
Try the ‘Walk Down Memory Lane’ treasure hunt’
Ōtari Plant Sale, be there early! Test your dexterity at ngā taonga tākaro – traditional Māori games.
Raranga/weaving
Rongoā workshop
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust table, name the native birds and plants!
Community conservation – chat with the folk from Capital Kiwi, Wellington BotSoc, Kia Mouriora Te Kaiwharawhara, Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Lab, Trelissick Park Group, Animal Services, Conservation Volunteers NZ, and our very own RAMBO.
Of course the Trust will be hosting tea and coffee with cakes and slices, and cooking up a BBQ storm. All for just a koha.
And what’s this about special sausages? Local butcher, Cameron Harrison, is mincing up a special ‘Centenary’ mix of sausages. There may even be some native Ōtari herbs included. Tasty. We’ll also have vegetarian options.
Posted: 12 September 2026