Once a year, we throw open the gates and invite you behind the scenes at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. It’s your chance to explore the only public botanic garden in Aotearoa dedicated solely to native plants. Discover the people, plants, and projects that make it special.
Meet our team, chat with partner organisations, join an activity, and find out how we’re working together to protect and restore our natural environment. Whether you’ve never been to Ōtari before or it’s been a while, come along, get curious, and reconnect with nature!
On the day:
10 am-2 pm: Tū Mātau Ora – Taonga Tākaro (Traditional Māori games) on the lawn
10 am-2 pm: Conservation community partner stalls
10:30 am-2 pm: Plant sale – native plants grown right here in the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust Nursery
10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm: Behind-the-scenes tours with Ōtari staff (sign up on the day)
10:30 am -12:30 pm: Rongoā workshop – learn about traditional Māori plant uses. Free registration opens soon
10:30 am, 11:45 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm: Author talks – Ruth Paul, Phil Sirvid, Leon Perrie, and Michael Szabo discuss their recent books
11 am: Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory staff show and tell – see our orchid conservation work up close
11 am & 1 pm: String Bean Puppets – two shows: Once in a Full Moon (Kiwi adventures) and Tree Friends (W**d-busting fun)
1 pm-2 pm: Learn to weave putiputi (flowers) out of Harakeke (flax) with the Ōtari Raranga Weavers. This is a drop in session, but it's best to drop by before 1:30 to give you enough time to create your putiputi.
This event is part of the Wellington Gardens Te Wā o te Kōanga - Spring Festival 2025. Join us in celebrating spring with free events throughout September. Full line-up on our website.
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