Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari - Ōtari Open Day

Discover and celebrate New Zealand’s only native botanic garden at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush for the Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari.

Explore the richness of our unique collections of native plants as we celebrate the beauty and diversity of our natural heritage. Join a tour to discover what goes on behind the scenes in our nursery and catch a glimpse of the fascinating work being done at the Lions Ōtari Conservation Laboratory.

If you are curious about the story of Ōtari, including why it exists and the role it plays in preserving New Zealand's native flora and fauna, the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust will be capturing this in their wonderful tours.

You can register for both of these free tours above. You are welcome to bring a cash koha on the day that will go to the Trust to support the amazing work they do. We'll have very limited spots available for walk-ups on the day so make sure to register to secure your spot! 

Want to know a bit more about how you can contribute to conservation efforts in your community? Come along to engaging talks that will empower you to lend a hand. Delve into the fascinating world of Poneke's weeds at 10am with Illona Keenan and learn about the challenges and community efforts in weed control. At 11am, discover the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust's significant work, guided by Chair Carol West and Trustees, and how you can get involved. At 12pm, Jim Tait will uncover the importance of predator management in Ōtari, including insights into RAMBO and backyard trapping initiatives. Then, at 1pm, Nikki McArthur will review Wellington's native bird populations and how you can contribute to their conservation. Don't miss these insightful talks!

There will also be various activities throughout the day, including Tū Mātau Ora who will be sharing a variety of Taonga Tākaro (traditional Māori games and activities) and their associate tikanga and history, Open Lab where you can be a scientist and discover the mini world of the forest, getting hands-on with raranga/weaving, and stalls from Wellington’s conservation community. If you are after some kai, there will be a sausage sizzle on the day.

This celebration of nature is completely free. We look forward to seeing you there!

We encourage the use of public transport on the day as car parking is very limited. The number 14 bus has a stop outside Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush.

The whole event will be contained within the Wheelchair-friendly paths that run from the main car park to the Information Centre, over the Canopy Walkway, and to Cockayne Lookout. Please let us know if you are looking to come on a tour so we can plan accordingly to ensure a great experience.