Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari - Ōtari Open Day

Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari | Ōtari Open Day is your chance to explore New Zealand’s only native botanic garden and celebrate its rich diversity of native plants. Enjoy a day filled with activities, workshops, and guided tours.

TOURS:
Tour registrations are now open - get your free ticket today. We'll also have very limited spots available for walk-ups on the day. All tours are 30 minutes long.

Behind-the-Scenes – Explore our nursery and Lions Ōtari Conservation Lab. (10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm)

Garden Tours – Learn about Ōtari's unique role in preserving native flora. (Noon & 1pm)

WORKSHOPS:
You can register for these free workshops above. We'll have very limited spots available for walk-ups on the day so make sure to register to secure your spot!

10am - 11am: Terrarium demonstration - Join George Murray who is the creative force behind Geobulb Terrariums as he demonstrates how to construct these delightful habitats.
During the demonstration, you will learn how to build your own terrarium and develop an understanding of the key elements needed to make and maintain a successful terrarium.

11am-12pm: Raranga (weaving) - Join us to create your own Putiputi or Whetū! Watch as an advanced student demonstrates kono weaving live, while you weave your putiputi or whetū alongside. Please note: children under 14 require supervision, but no registration is needed for them.

12pm-2pm: Open Science Lab - Become an ecologist for the day and uncover the hidden life beneath leaf litter using microscopes. This is a self-led exploration, so take your time to observe and discover at your own pace. This workshop is drop-in any time between 12pm-2pm, no pre-registration needed.

1pm-2pm: Pani (balm) Making - Join rongoā practitioners Sharli Solomon and Hinemoa Metekingi (Ngāti Toa Rangatira) for an enriching experience in traditional healing. You'll learn how to make a pani (balm) using special native plants and work in groups to create your own. Each participant will take home a small pani. This workshop is for adults only.

Activities include Taonga Tākaro/traditional Māori games and activities with Tū Mātau Ora and live music by local musician Ali Whitton.

Weather permitting, visit the new Pā Harakeke site from 11 AM to 2 PM to watch the Ōtari Raranga group hauhake (collect) harakeke rau and weave from this special pā. This collection features prized harakeke varieties, carefully selected long ago for their unique leaf and fiber properties—perfect for making kete, whāriki, piupiu, and cloaks from muka.

Free entry—come celebrate nature with us!

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.

This event is part of the annual Te Wā o te Kōanga - Spring Festival at Wellington Gardens. The festival runs for the whole month of September.