Need to know:
Seminars
These will be held in Tāne Whakapiripiri, the visitor centre, from 7.30 to 8.30pm. Gold coin entry, no bookings required but do come early to be sure of a seat.
Guided Walks
Walks are free for members, and $10 for non-members (places are limited to 20, so please book on Eventfinda.co.nz). All walks start at 2pm from Tāne Whakapiripiri, the visitor centre, and last for around 90 minutes. The trails are gentle, wear comfortable walking shoes. Please no dogs on guided walks.
Ōtari Glow Worm Tours
Free for members and $10.50 for non-members, under 12s free. Please book on Eventfinda.co.nz. Tours last an hour and are very popular!
March 3 Seminar [Completed]
Horrid weeds and mobilising community action, Illona Keenan and Nigel Charman
Join Wellington’s weed specialists for an eye-opening seminar on some of Pōneke’s most persistent plant invaders. Discover what it takes to mobilise community action against them.
March 22 Guided Walk [Completed]
The Flies of Aotearoa and the spiders who love them, Julia Kaspar and Phil Sirvid
Join experts for a fascinating walk into the world of Aotearoa’s flies and the spiders who love them. These small creatures might make some of us shudder, but they play vital roles in healthy ecosystems. Discover their surprising lives and why even the tiniest critters deserve a closer look.
April 7 (Easter Tuesday) Seminar
Mushrooms and other fungi of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Geoff Ridley
Fungi are an essential part of the biodiversity and ecology of Aotearoa. Geoff, fungus guru and Trustee, will discuss the importance of fungi, drawing from his extensive knowledge of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush.
April 26 Guided Walk
Fungi of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Geoff Ridley
A walk through the gardens and bush of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush to explore and discover the ever-changing array of mushrooms and fungi that are an essential part of its biodiversity. Note this is ANZAC Weekend, also the annual Global City Nature Challenge, when cities worldwide vie to record the most species on iNaturalist. Join the Wellington challenge with Geoff!
May 5 Seminar
All about our ancient bats, Dave Hunt
The New Zealand short-tailed bat is a unique and endangered ancient species found only at a few scattered sites. Dave will discuss their current status and management.
May 24 Guided Walk
More Fungi, Geoff Ridley
A second opportunity to walk through the gardens and bush at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush with fungus guru Geoff, to explore and discover the ever-changing array of mushrooms and fungi that are an essential part of its biodiversity. (Hint: Geof’s walks are always popular, so be in quick!)
Among all the plants that co-exist within Ōtari there’s one ‘kingdom’ different from all the rest. And are they popular! Mycologist Geoff Ridley ran two fully-booked tours shwoing people how to find fungi growing in Ōtari: they found them on tree trunks and under forest litter, reds and browns, scarlet pouches and ruby bonnets. Be in quick this year!
June 2 Seminar
The Plants of Norfolk Island, Leon Perrie and Lara Shepherd
An introduction to Norfolk Island and its plants, by Te Papa Botany Curator Leon Perrie and Te Papa science researcher Lara Shepherd.
June 28 Guided Walk
Stories behind some of Aotearoa’s most interesting plants, Lara Shepherd.
Why is speargrass so sharp? Why does the parapara have such sticky seeds (hint, little birds beware). Join Te Papa science researcher and evolutionary biologist Lara Shepherd on an exploration around Ōtari’s plant collection, she’ll reveal all sorts of fascinating facts about our native species.
July 7 Seminar
A revisitation of the Kaiwharawhara Restoration, Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall
A quarter of a century ago Ōtari’s valley was full of rubbish, grass and weeds. Jonathan and Bronwen led teams of volunteers – some of them still working in the valley – to restore the forest. This year, in a Trust-sponsored project, they are measuring the results of all that planting and weeding and their findings are quite outstanding. Come and be inspired.
July 26 Guided Walk
An introduction to Wellington’s common native plants, Leon Perrie, Lara Shepherd
Be they the peppery-tasting, medicinal kawakawa or the lofty podocarps, these two will have some amazing stories to relate and you’ll see the bush with new eyes.
August 3 Seminar
To be confirmed
August 23 Guided Walk
The next weeds that could threaten Ōtari, Illona Keenan
Which could be the next weeds to escape and threaten Ōtari? Take a walk around the neighbourhood with the Wellington City Council weed specialist Illona. Explore the potential weeds and invasive plants that are a threat to our biodiversity.
September 1 Seminar
Capital Trees, Susette Goldsmith
The book, Capital Trees, celebrates the tree heritage of the Wellington region. Author Susette will discuss the issues faced right back to when the city was established; biodiversity, arguments around heritage tree listings, trees as monuments, and the ‘native versus exotics’ debate.
September 27 Guided Walk
Kaiwharawhara Restoration Revisited, Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall
Explore what has become a benchmark of community forest restoration. Jonathan and Bronwen will show you what happened when volunteers cleared weeds then planted some 55,000 new trees, 25 years on.
October 3, Guided Walk
The prolific birdlife of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, Hugh Robertson
Opportunity to learn about the birds of Ōtari in the company of one of New Zealand’s leading experts. Hugh is the author of the definitive Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, DOC’s leading exponent on native birds, a self-confessed ‘bird-nerd’ and a regular Ōtari visitor. Take a short circuit walk to the Troup Lawn and back with Hugh calling up the birds and sharing information about them and their status.
October 6 Seminar
He Pūawai, A Natural History of New Zealand Flowers, Phil Garnock-Jones
Don’t miss this evening with the emeritus professor, former chair of botany at Victoria University, and author of the beautiful tome, He Pūawai. Phil will discuss the complexities of Aotearoa’s spectacular native flowers, researched and portrayed so beautifully in his book.
October 25 Guided Walk
Dr Leonard Cockayne’s vision for Ōtari – how well has it been achieved? Dr Carol West
Leonard Cockayne devised a schema for native plant conservation at Ōtari. On this walk we’ll learn about the four elements of the scheme and see examples of those that he specifically oversaw the establishment of, along with others that have been implemented more recently.
November 3 Seminar
Who was Dr Leonard Cockayne? Dr Carol West and Kathy Ombler
We all know of Dr Cockayne’s work here at Ōtari, but he did so much more. Cockayne was a prolific writer of botanical and scientific reports and helped to secure the protection of significant conservation areas around New Zealand. This, centenary year is surely a good time to find out more about Dr Cockayne.
November 22 Guided Walk
More than 100 years of Heritage, Kathy Ombler
Ōtari’s huge legacy encompasses more than a hundred years of vision and foresight, and includes mana whenua, farmer/settlers, conservationists, botanists, curators and community volunteers. You’ll walk in all their footsteps during this fascinating tour.
Ōtari Glow Worm Tours, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust Guides
See who comes out at night in the deep dark forest, on your way to discover our resident titiwai, or glow worms. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the bush after dark on this magical guided tour. Reasonable fitness is required; there are some steps and a steepish incline. Tours last from 7 to 8pm. Be in quick, these tours traditionally sell out fast.
Dates:
Saturday 18 April
Saturday 16 May
Saturday 13 June
Tuesday 14 July
Wednesday 15 July
Thursday 16 July
Saturday 18 July
Saturday 15 August
Saturday 12 September