Image credit Kesara Rathnayake, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kesara_rathnayake/
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Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
A Historic and Living Treasure
With over 150 years of history, Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is a place where heritage, horticulture, and the uniquely Wellington landscape intertwine. Recognised as a Garden of National Significance and designated a Heritage Area, this 25-hectare sanctuary is home to diverse spaces and trails, historic plant collections, vibrant seasonal displays, significant artworks and events.
Long before it became a botanic garden, this land was an important site for Te Ātiawa of Pipitea Pā. It provided resources for food, medicine, construction, and bird harvesting, with the nearby pā at Pipitea and Kumutoto linking generations of tangata whenua to the area. Today, the garden continues to be a place of learning, connection, and inspiration for all who visit.
A Tapestry of Gardens and Collections
Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is a mosaic of curated collections that celebrate both New Zealand’s native flora and exquisite international species. The Display Garden is a vibrant showcase of design and storytelling, transforming with the seasons to offer an ever-changing spectacle of colour and form. The Lady Norwood Rose Garden, established in 1953, features over 300 rose varieties, with each bed dedicated to a unique cultivar. From classic heirlooms to modern hybrids, this formal garden is a feast for the senses. Nearby, the Begonia House provides a lush escape into the world of tropical and temperate plants, where begonias, orchids, and exotic species flourish year-round.
Discover, Learn, and Connect
The garden isn’t just a place to wander—it’s a hub for education, conservation, and community engagement.
- Guided and self-guided walks – Stroll through themed trails that reveal the garden’s hidden gems and rich history.
- School programs – Hands-on, curriculum-based education connects students with the many uses of plants, from food to medicine.
- Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden – This passionate group of volunteers supports the garden through education, advocacy, and horticulture. They also enhance the visitor experience through guiding and events.
- Regular events – From Music Sundays to seasonal festivals, there’s always something happening to engage and inspire.
- Treehouse Visitor Centre – Nestled within the gardens, the Treehouse Visitor Centre is your gateway to exploration. Stop by for maps, garden insights, and a visit to the gift shop, where you’ll find botanical treasures and locally inspired gifts.
Experience the wonder of Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā – where history, nature, and community come together. Plan your visit today! Visit us at https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden-ki-paekaka.
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Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
A Living Celebration of Aotearoa’s Native Plants
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is a haven of native flora, boasting the country’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants. It features the 5-hectare Ōtari Native Botanic Garden, with over 1,100 native species, hybrids, and cultivars, alongside Wilton’s Bush Forest Reserve, 100 hectares of ancient and regenerating forest. A Six-Star Garden of International Significance, Ōtari is a hub for research, education, conservation, and recreation.
Ōtarikākā (Ōtari), ‘the place of snares to trap kākā,’ has long been a valued mahinga kai, a place for gathering food, cherished by successive iwi since the earliest settlements of Te Whanganui-a-Tara by people. Today, it remains an important site within the rohe (boundary) of Taranaki Whānui, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
A Century of Conservation and Discovery
Established in 1926 by J G Mackenzie and pioneering botanist Dr Leonard Cockayne, Ōtari was founded with a vision: to cultivate and showcase Aotearoa’s unique plant life and tell their stories. From coastal sand dune plants to subalpine and subantarctic species, the collection spans the entire length of New Zealand, including rare and endangered species that are now thriving under careful stewardship.
Among the highlights is Te Pā Harakeke o Te Whare Pora o Ōtari, a collection of traditional harakeke varieties once gathered by master weaver Rene Orchiston and now preserved as part of Te Kohinga Harakeke o Aotearoa, the National New Zealand Flax Collection. Another highlight is the Threatened Species Garden, showcasing Aotearoa’s at-risk plants. It features conservation success stories like kōhurangi (Brachyglottis kirkii), which thrives in old-growth forest epiphyte nests thanks to sustained pest control, including possum management.
The Lions Ōtari Native Plant Conservation Laboratory leads cutting-edge research in propagating and preserving endangered species, developing advanced techniques to germinate native plants as well as seed banking and cryopreservation.
Get Involved and Experience Ōtari
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a keen gardener, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Ōtari has something to offer.
- Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust – A dedicated group of volunteers that help to protect and sustain this special place through plant propagation, guiding, weeding, tree planting, hosting, and trapping.
- Guided and self-guided walks – through lush native forests and gardens.
- School and university education programmes – connecting people with the natural world.
- Community events – including autumn walks and seminars, and traditional Māori weaving (raranga) classes.
- A family-friendly picnic area – with free BBQs and space to relax.
Discover the wonder of New Zealand’s native flora at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Whether you visit, volunteer, or support our work, you’ll be part of something truly special. Visit us at https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/otari-wiltons-bush/.
