Recent assessments of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush and Botanic Garden ki Paekākā saw the popular sites achieve high commendations and awards recognising the ‘hours of work by passionate, creative and knowledgeable people’.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush continues to fulfil the requirements of a 6-Star Garden of International Significance, and was commended for its gardens, new visitor centre and renovations, plant collections, conservation research and propagation. The only recommendation from the assessors was to keep doing what they are doing.
Manager Ōtari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve Tim Park and the team are very proud of Ōtari’s continued ranking as a Garden of International Significance by the NZ Garden Trust.
“My team has put in a massive effort to maintain our diverse collection of native plants through challenging times in recent years. We are very pleased that the work we are doing to renovate the Gardens was appreciated by the assessors.
“We have also recently expanded the capacity of the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory, which is developing techniques to save some of Aotearoa’s most threatened native plants including orchids (and their mycorrhizal partners), kauri and species affected by myrtle rust.
“We have recently refreshed the visitor centre in partnership with mana whenua and local artists and are stoked that this new space was commended in the judges’ notes.”