New Zealand

Students at Western Heights High School have been studying Plant Physiology as part of their learning under the Cambridge Curriculum. Students have learnt all about the functioning of plants, including growth responses, photosynthesis and reproduction. They have completed many practical’s within this term, including growing some plants from cuttings. They have seen how diverse the plant world is, and how many plants have some amazing adaptations.

Year 10 students from Western Heights High School are travelling to Maungatautari Sanctuary Island. They will be guided around some tracks within the sanctuary to see the effects of nature restoration. A large predator proof fence has been built to keep exotic mammalian pests out of the sanctuary so the native flora and fauna can restore. Native plants have been replanted and native birds and reptiles have been reintroduced to the sanctuary.

Join Emma Haslam and Te Atatū Community Hub for a free rongoā hīkoi around our local reserve, Orangihina Park (Harbourview). Please register for this event, there are limited spaces available. This event is for rangatahi and adults (14+), all attendees need a ticket. This is an opportunity to connect with other keen learners, and practitioners of rongoā, while learning about local plant life and their uses in rongoā Māori.

Kaiako, Emma, will share tikanga and mātauranga around the practice of rongoā and its prominence through te ao Māori. Through plant identification, a walk around local scenery and grounding ourselves in the whenua, this hīkoi will bring new learnings as well as a sense of ease for our wairua.

The entrance to Orangihina Park is at the roundabout on Te Atatū Road. Meeting point is at the carpark.

In ancient times, people were dependent on nature, so that plants played a crucial role in the lives of our ancestors. Plant legends and myths shape traditions by giving certain plants symbolic meaning. These stories influence how people used them in rituals and celebrations.

Meet at the Herb Garden lookout and finish at the Rose Garden.
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.
Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

Come and get hands on at the EcoMatters native plant nursery! Seedling Sessions are a regular volunteer session where you’ll help care for and grow native plants that support local restoration projects.

Each Wednesday (weekly from 25 March to 22 April 2026, 10am-12pm) we spend time pricking out and potting up seedlings, sowing seeds, washing pots, weeding and pitching in with other tasks around the nursery.

Closed-toe, sturdy footwear is essential. Please bring a hat, rain jacket and gardening gloves if you have any (some gloves will be provided).

Questions? Email eve@ecomatters.org.nz

This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Join the Ranui Library for a whānau friendly native planting workshop and kōrero with Alanah and Eve from EcoMatters. Learn about local native plants, why they matter, and how planting supports our whenua and waterways. A great way for whānau to learn, connect, and grow together. You’ll even get to take a native plant seedling home to plant in your own garden.

Spaces are limited so make sure you register via the link while you can. This event is suitable for all ages (10+).

Supported by the Henderson-Massey Local Board.

This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Explore Chip Budding and Marcotting in this hands-on session with experienced gardener Ben Cheah, held in the EcoMatters Organic Teaching Garden.

These simple, powerful and low-cost propagation techniques are ideal for plants that are not dormant — including tropical fruit trees, citrus, and temperate fruit trees that are actively growing in summer. Discover how to grow new fruit trees in your community, using these cost effective methods.

ABOUT

Ben grew up in a tropical orchard in Malaysia and is an avid amateur gardener. He has taught Tropical Agriculture in Malaysian schools.

With wide experience and diplomas in Horticulture and also Permaculture Design, he has often been called to give talks and workshops for garden clubs and community gardens.

This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

This 60-75 minute downhill walk dives into the fantastic realm of foliage, and discovers what plants have to teach us about worlds present and past.

Meet at the Cable Car Entrance Lookout, Upland Road, Kelburn
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.
Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

Plants, both native and exotic, in the Wellington Botanic Garden and surrounding areas are or have been the basis for medicines that can enhance human health and well-being. This one-hour downhill walk will touch plant-based treatments for a range of afflictions from the ‘everyday’ to more serious.

Meet at the Cable Car Entrance Lookout, Upland Road, Kelburn.
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.

Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

Join Nat Rose Te Hei (Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Tainui, Tūwharetoa) in this fun beginners weaving workshop at the start of the school holidays.

Participants will learn to weave a kono (a small container). These are ideal for holding harvested kai and other small items.

Learn appropriate tikanga when harvesting and weaving harakeke.

On the day we’ll be doing…

Karakia timatanga   (Opening prayer)

Mihimihi   (Welcoming and acknowledgements)

Whakawhanaungatanga   (Introductions)

Kaupapa ō te rā  (Weaving a kono)

Ngā tikanga/ Ūara  (Harvesting flax)

Mahi rāranga  (Lets get weaving)

Whakaaro  (Reflections, learnings)

Karakia Whakamutunga  (Closing karakia)

NOTES:

• Please bring scissors.
• For ages 10+ to adult 

Supported by the Creative Communities Scheme

Food forests are a growing trend worldwide, celebrated for weaving together ecological restoration, community engagement, and local food production.

This workshop asks a simple question: Can we grow more food in public parks?
We say yes!

Join us for a two-part session exploring how communities can design productive, regenerative public spaces.

Workshop Outline

Part 1: Presentation by Dan on the core principles behind syntropic agroforestry – one promising approach for establishing food forests.

Afternoon tea – 20 mins

Part 2:

Break into small groups to apply these principles to Olympic Park.

This hands-on design exercise will explore plant layering, complementary edible species, access and pathways, water considerations, public engagement, and more.

If your local park had a food forest, what would it include?

This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Drop in for this free, fun kids art activity where kids will explore many leaf shapes and vein form and a beeswax’s crayon technique. This session will be hosted by the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens visiting artist, Thomas Paster.

Suitable for children ages 4+. Parent and caregiver supervision is required.

No booking required — just drop in to the Visitor Centre and create!

Bring the kids along for a lovely hands-on creative drop-in session exploring natural scents and simple craft. Children will get to decorate their own calico bag and fill it with sweet-smelling lavender to take home and enjoy. Afterwards, grab our “Fabulous Flowers” activity sheet, and explore the gardens.

This is a fun, sensory activity for kids of all ages. All materials provided. Free activity.

All children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the session.

No bookings required.

Relax with Benni Bonnin and experience forest bathing in Cornwall Park.

Take some time for yourself. Pause. Breathe. Connect with Nature. Simple, light and uplifting time – with guided meditation -in the good company of trees and birds.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile”. Mary Oliver

Don’t forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Saturday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please register through our Eventbrite page or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Starting at the Cable car lookout, this 60-minute downhill walk explores the Australian Garden and the diversity of our neighbour’s unique and unusual flora. This walk also passes through Hydrangea Gully and Succulent Garden, to finish at the Tree House

Meet at the City Lookout beside the Cable Car, Upland Road, Kelburn
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.

Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

Join us at EcoMatters EcoHub for a nourishing day exploring good kai, mindful movement, creativity, connection, and climate-positive actions.

Support your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, with opportunities to connect, be active, take notice, and keep learning while caring for yourself and the planet.

Booking essential, cost $15-$25.

Programme

10am–2pm (pop-in session)
Mindful Threads – a community art project with Tineswari Maruthamuthu (@themindfulmender)
Contribute to a collaborative wall hanging made from recycled and repurposed textiles, adding your own creativity to this sustainable, mindful artwork.

10.30–11.30am
The Power of Eating Plants with Luke Gabites – Planted Nutrition
Discover how eating more plants can support both your health and the planet. Luke explores the benefits of a plant-based diet – from improving wellbeing to reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, and easing pressure on food systems.
Supported by Whau Climate Action Network

11.45am–12.15pm
Harvest and Tour at EcoMatters Organic Teaching Garden with Meg Liptrot
Join Meg for a relaxed garden tour and harvest. Gather fresh pizza ingredients and salad greens while learning about seasonal growing and caring for the garden.

12.30–2pm
Woodfired Pizza Making with Thom Gabites – Plant-Based Chef
Get hands-on in this relaxed session making woodfired, plant-based pizzas. Led by Thom, it draws on his garden-to-table approach and love of food as a way to bring people together.

1.30–2.30pm
Good Food Good Mood with Jane Gabites and Luke Gabites
This session with Jane (psychologist) and Luke (clinical nutritionist) explores how our relationship with food affects mood, energy, and overall wellbeing. Drawing on their podcast Thrive: Mind & Body, they share practical, approachable tips for eating to feel your best.

2.30–3.30pm
Move with Nature with Kris Walsh
A restorative movement workshop celebrating wellbeing in nature. Enjoy a gentle somatic warm-up and nature-inspired movement with music and shared rhythm. Inclusive for all, and held at the EcoHub and Olympic Park.

Things to note:

This is a fully plant-based event.
Catering is limited to one slice of plant-based pizza per attendee. Please note: we’re unable to accommodate additional dietary requirements.

Suitable for ages 10+

The ticket cost helps to cover our presenters’ time for the day.

This event is part of EcoFest 2026 – a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.

Join botanist Ewen Cameron for a guided autumn walk exploring the fruits and seeds of Cornwall Park. Discover the dynamic ways plants disperse themselves through our ecosystem.

Don’t forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Sunday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please register through our Eventbrite page or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub next to the Cornwall Park Bistro. Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

FREE EVENT

—Your guide—

Ewen Cameron is a recently ‘retired’ Auckland botanist, after working 32 years as curator of botany at the Auckland Museum. Over the last four decades he has authored/co-authored many articles and papers on aspects of botany, ecology and conservation of northern New Zealand’s flora involving both native and naturalised plant species. He is an active member of the Auckland Botanical Society, including as president for 20 years. He served two terms on the Auckland Conservation Board, one as chair, and was awarded the Departments of Conservation’s Loder Cup in 2005.

A 75-minute wander on the lower west side of the Garden to enjoy the last burst of the sun’s energy and warmth before winter, and the plants that characterise seasonal change.

Meet at the Founders Entrance, Glenmore Street.
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.

Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

Start your journey toward becoming a master archaeologist and learn how the story of Cornwall Park is written in our trees.

Tree-ring dating (dendrochronology) is a tool used by archaeologists for dating and understanding changes in climate.

We will be using tree stumps from Cornwall Park trees to experiment with tree-ring dating and discover what we can learn from them about Cornwall Park.

No registration is required. Suitable for ages 8+, caregiver attendance is required.

Free event

In ancient times, people were dependent on nature, so that plants played a crucial role in the lives of our ancestors. Plant legends and myths shape traditions by giving certain plants symbolic meaning. These stories influence how people used them in rituals and celebrations.

Meet at the City Lookout beside the Cable Car, Upland Road, Kelburn.
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.
Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

On this 60- to 75-minute walk we look at food plants from a wide range of countries and areas of the world, some of which have become familiar and available to us in New Zealand, but some of which are not readily available commercially.

Meet above the Childrens Playground

Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.

Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.

FIRE! – both natural, and human-induced, and how plants have adapted to this ‘disturbance’ is the subject of this walk. Examples in the Wellington Botanic Gardens include plants from New Zealand, Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.

Meet at the Cable Car Entrance Lookout, Upland Road, Kelburn.
Cost: $10 or Free for Friends – bookings required (you’ll get the option to choose your ticket type after clicking ‘Buy Tickets’)

This is part of the regular walks run by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden. They run throughout the year with a different topic every time.

Join the Friends for only $30 a year and all the walks will be free, as well as other great benefits.