Ōtari-Wilton's Bush

Ōtari-Wilton's Bush is a native botanic garden and forest reserve located in the suburb Wilton of Wellington, New Zealand. It is New Zealand's only public botanic garden dedicated solely to the native plants of New Zealand. The reserve includes 100 ha (250 acres) of native forest, and 5 ha (12 acres) of plant collections. The first section of what would become Ōtari-Wilton's Bush was purchased in 1906 by the government and designated as a scenic reserve. The forest in the reserve contains some of the oldest trees in Wellington, including an 800-year-old rimu. The reserve holds a broad range of plants, with one bioblitz recording nearly 500 species of vascular plants, liverworts, mosses and lichens. In addition to its extensive flora, the reserve also hosts a wide range of fauna, including notable species such as ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum), longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) and glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa). Due to its diverse plant collection and reserve biodiversity, scientific research is regularly conducted at Ōtari-Wilton. Ōtari-Wilton's Bush is owned and managed by Wellington City Council and is supported by the Ōtari-Wilton's Bush Trust.