Friday Five: Spring into September with Wellington Gardens

1. Tiptoe amongst the tulips on Tulip Sunday  

Dutch food and tulips – need we say more? Join the Wellington Dutch and the Netherlands embassy in welcoming kōanga (spring) to Pōneke. Get amongst the beautiful blossoms and get yourself some delicious Dutch treats. 

Tulip Sunday is on at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā on 25 September, between 10am–4pm.  

2. Get artistic with Ikebana 

Enjoy the intricate Japanese flower spring arrangements exhibition – and maybe even pick up a trick or two at one of the teacher demonstrations. The Art of Ikebana exhibition will be in the Lady Norwood Begonia House on Friday 9 September and Saturday 10 September between 9am–4pm, and Sunday 11 September between 9am–3pm.

Teacher demonstrations will be held each day at 11.30am and 2pm. 

3. Hum along with the honeybees at the Akoranga Learning Pavilion Open Day 

Bee-come more aware of our honeybees at Te Whare Ako o Akoranga Rangi Tūwhera (the Akoranga Learning Pavilion Open Day). Celebrate Bee Awareness Month by seeing the busy bees in an Apiscope (viewing hive), meeting the beekeepers, and tasting some honey. 
 
Te Whare Ako o Akoranga Rangi Tūwhera will be on Saturday 3 September between 10am–2pm. 

4. Keep your eyes peeled for pop-up performers 

Find the Kaiwhakaata Āmiomio (roaming performers) scattered throughout Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush and Botanic Garden ki Paekākā. Catch CUZZIN$ collaborating with the flora and fauna as they practice the art of Taonga pūoro at Ōtari, or head down to the Botanic Garden to listen to a reading of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘Miss Brill’. Or, see a selection of performers from Shakespeare Naturally.  

The roaming performers will be in the gardens on Saturday 10 September between 10am–2pm. For more specific timing and locations, check out the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush and Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā event listings. 

5.  Ōtari opens up  

Explore New Zealand’s only native botanic garden, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Catch behind the scene glimpses of the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation laboratory and the nursery. There will be guided tours, informational talks and hands-on activities to get amongst.  

Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari (Ōtari Open Day) is on Saturday 17 September between 10am–2pm. Keep an eye on the Facebook event for the schedule coming soon. 

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city.