Otari-Wilton’s Bush Reserve was 100 years old in August 2006

Otari-Wilton’s Bush Reserve was 100 years old in August 2006

What’s happening?

A whole year of special events and activities.

This website of the Otari-Wilton’s Bush Centenary was our first centenary project.

We ran a very exciting Bioblitz in March 2007. Visitors came to see a team of scientists find out how many different living things are in Otari, and to hear them talk about their finds. 1347 different species were found, including a new Amanita fungus, a new cave weta, a weed new to New Zealand (Veronica javanica), and the native koaro fish not previously found at Otari. more>>

Bioblitz display: Until mid November 2007 there is a display at the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, Queens Wharf. There are photos of the Bioblitz, charts of results, and the wonderful banner painted by Otari School students for the Bioblitz opening.

100 kilometer challenge: Track distances have been measured and recorded so you can run or walk 100 kilometers in Otari and record your name here or at the Information Centre. We want 100s of names. more >>

100 meter walk: Otari is an ancient living ecosystem. It has 100s of species – plants, fungi, birds, insects, spiders, what else? See how many different species you can spot in our new 100 metre walk.

100's of photographs: Jeremy Rolfe of the Department of Conservation recently ran a very successful practical hands-on botanical photography workshop at Otari. At the AGM on 15 May a slide show of Bioblitz photos was shown for the first time.

Centenary Babes: Not what you think - parents can record with the Trust the names of babies born in Otari's centenary year. An area of new planting has been chosen so that the children and their families can see the new trees grow as the children do.

Andy McKay: He was the first Curator at Otari and he died 60 years ago November 2006. To remember him there was a walk to his grave in Karori Cemetery, and a piper's lament.

100's of people have been involved with Otari over many years – working here, visiting, revegetating the stream areas. We are organising an oral and written history of what they have done. There will be a detailed map too with accounts of the human and natural history of Otari.

What else?

Keep watching the website. We update regularly with more details and new events and activities.

Over 100 years ago, Wilton’s Bush was a already a popular recreation destination for Wellingtonians. Now thousands of visitors come to Otari every year. We invite all of you to get together with friends and family to come and help celebrate Otari’s 100 years as a reserve. 

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