How to take part in the global wildlife count

This is an annual global event where cities compete to see who can log the most nature observations on iNaturalist over four days. The City Nature Challenge is a wonderful way to foster our connection to te taiao (natural world). 

Last year the Wellington region answered the call of nature, recording 18,172 observations of 2,490 different species!
 
Taking part is simple; all you need to do is explore wildlife anywhere from your backyard to the street or your local reserve from Friday 25 to Monday 28 April 2025, take a photo of what you find and share it to the iNaturalist app.

If you want to learn from others and be a part of the community acting together for nature you can also check out the discovery events below, when you can meet some of the experts that often help identify the incredible observations.  

This year, check out the list of species we’re encouraging everyone to keep an eye out for: 

• Kiwi  
• Rimu Kakauroa (Giant Kelp)  
• Pūriri Moth  
• Elvers  
• Buddleia
• Blue passionflower
• The Noddy flycap  
• Ngaokeoke/ NZ Peripatus 
• Arachnocampa luminosa (NZ glow worms) 

Check out our discovery events 

Ōtari Night Exploration

5pm–7.30pm | Friday 25 April | Otari-Wilton's Bush 
Wellington City Council is kicking off the City Nature Challenge campaign with a free, whānau-friendly evening discovery event at Ōtari. We will wander into the native ngahere and set up a light trap to discover what creatures are around at night. Come and listen to the birds settling into bed and the ruru coming out. Look closely to see the glow worms lighting up the side of the stream. We will be joined by entomologist William Brocklesby, friends from Te Papa, and the Ōtari-Wilton's Bush Trust. 
 
Ōtari Night Exploration Facebook event page

Shell Identification, Crafts and Displays 

10am–6pm | Saturday 26 April | The Backyard, Te Taiao 
Learn about the amazing diversity of clams and snails here in Aotearoa. As part of the City Nature Challenge, Te Papa and the Wellington Shell Club are hosting shell displays, shell crafts, and identification station. Bring in your clean shells and have them identified by our experts and assemble a shell-craft mouse to take home. 

Shell Identification, Crafts and Displays | Te Papa website

Community Litter Clean Up 

9.30am–12.30pm | Saturday 26 April | Cannons Creek Lake Reserve 
Ngahere Korowai and Conservation Volunteers New Zealand will be participating in the City Nature Challenge alongside their Cannons Creek Lake Reserve clean up. This event helps to prepare the space for the winter planting season where 800 plants are due to go in at the far end of the duck pond. All equipment, including tools, gloves and vests will be provided. As well as free morning tea, refreshments, and snacks! Bring long sleeved clothing, a hat, waterproof jacket and sturdy, covered footwear. 

Community Litter Clean Up Facebook event page

VUW Tramping Club and Society for Conservation Biology 

9am–3pm | Saturday 26 April | Aro Valley Great War Memorial 
Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Tramping Club and Society for Conservation Biology Wellington are teaming up to explore Waimapihi Reserve and make observations for the City Nature Challenge. Wear sturdy comfortable footwear, such as gumboots, hiking shoes or sneakers and warm clothing. Bring wet-weather gear, water, snacks/lunch and a device with iNaturalist downloaded. 

VUW Tramping Club website

Fungi Fun

2pm-4pm | Sunday 27 April | Central Park
Join Conservation Volunteers New Zealand at Central Park and get to know your fungi. Come and learn about the very cool fungi of New Zealand and use iNaturalist to identify them. Bring appropriate walking gear and a device to log observations as we go on a fun hunt for fungi!

Taputeranga Rock Pooling 

9am–11am | Sunday 27 April | Taputeranga Marine Reserve 
We're getting up close and personal with marine life with our local nature experts. We'll explore the rock pools and areas around the snorkel trail at Taputeranga Marine Reserve. Come and discover creatures like sea stars, crabs, fish, seaweed, and maybe even an octopus! There will be experts from Mountains to Sea, Te Papa, and Wellington City Council. 

Taputeranga Rock Pooling Facebook event page

Explore Tawatawa Reserve

3pm–5pm | Sunday 27 April | Tawatawa Reserve
The Southern Environmental Association will be hosting an event at Tawatawa Reserve. This site is part of a maturing ecological restoration project, making it a great opportunity to observe and record the biodiversity of the area, including an old remnant of coastal forest and a reforming wetland. Beginners using iNaturalist welcome. Join us for a sausage sizzle afterwards.

Tawatawa Reserve Facebook event page

Central Park Night Observations 

6pm–7pm | Sunday 27 April | Central Park 
Enviroschools, Friends of Te Papa, and Wellington City Council host a night-time exploration of te taiao with activities for all ages, including spotlighting Moturoa stream, searching for glow worms, and more. Wear sturdy footwear, comfortable clothes and wet weather gear. Bring a torch and device with iNaturalist downloaded for making observations. 

To register for this event, email chloe.bisleywright@gw.govt.nz. 

Awa After Dark: Spotlighting at Percy Scenic Reserve

6pm-7.30pm |  Monday 28 April | Percy Scenic Reserve 
Explore your local awa with freshwater experts from our Wai Connection team at this spotlighting event. With your gumboots and a torch, head off on an evening hīkoi to your local waterway to ‘spotlight’ and observe freshwater species in their natural habitat. Learn about the health of our waterways, freshwater conservation efforts in your neighbourhood, and some of the ways that you could become a kaitiaki of your local awa.
 
Awa After Dark | Mountains to Sea website

Your records don’t just help with the challenge but support how we care for the nature in the city year round. so a big thanks for taking part. 

You can keep up with Wellington’s results on our project page, and the progress other cities in Aotearoa are making on the international City Nature Challenge website.