Te Wā o te Kōanga - Spring Festival 2023

It’s time to shake off the winter blues and celebrate the arrival of kōanga (spring)!  

The annual Te Wā o te Kōanga - Spring Festival at Wellington Gardens is the perfect way to get amongst the tulips and kōanga flowers, to celebrate the season of new beginnings where fresh buds bloom and life starts anew. 

This year, the festival will run for the whole month of September. Join us for a series of springtime events where we enjoy a new season with friends, whānau, and visitors. 

What's going on?

Te Whare Ako o Akoranga - Rangi Tūwhera
Akoranga Learning Pavilion - Open Day
Āhea | When: Sat 2 Sept, 10am – 2pm
Ki hea | Where: Discovery Garden, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Te utu | Cost Free
Drop into the Akoranga Learning Pavilion to see honeybees close-up in our Apiscope (viewing hive), meet beekeepers, taste honey, and more.

Kaiwhakaata Āmiomio
Roaming Performers
Āhea | When: Sat 9 Sept, 10am-2pm
Ki hea | Where: Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush & Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Te utu | Cost Free
Keep an eye out for pop-up performers around Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush and Botanic Garden ki Paekākā.

The Art of Ikebana Exhibition
Āhea | When: Sat 9 Sept & Sun 10 Sept, 9am – 4pm
Ki hea | Where: Begonia House, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Te utu | Cost Free
Discover the art of Japanese flower arranging with an exhibition of spring arrangements by Ikebana Wellington.

Katherine Mansfield in the Begonia House
Āhea | When:  Saturday 9th Sept, 11am-11:30am & 1pm-1:30pm
Ki hea | Where: Begonia House, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā  
Te utu | Cost: Free 

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden invites you to enjoy free readings of Katherine Mansfield's stories 'Miss Brill' and ‘In the Botanical Gardens’ in the Begonia House.

Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari
Ōtari Open Day
Āhea | When: Sat 16 Sept, 10am-2pm
Ki hea | Where: Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
Te utu | Cost Free
Discover and celebrate New Zealand’s only native botanic garden at Ōtari Open Day. Get to know our unique collections of native plants, learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of our nursery and get a peek into the Lions Ōtari Conservation Laboratory. There will be guided tours and informational talks in addition to hands-on activities.

Scots College Wearable Design Showcase
Āhea | When: Thurs 21 Sept - Wed 11 Oct, 10am-3pm
Ki hea | Where: Treehouse Visitor Centre, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Te utu | Cost Free
Scots College students exhibit wearable design concepts and garments, exploring natural dying and sustainable textile practices. Come along to the Treehouse and be inspired.

Tulip Sunday
Āhea | When: Sun 24 Sept, 10am-2pm
Ki hea | Where: Display Garden and Treehouse, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Te utu | Cost Free
Join the Wellington Dutch Club and Netherlands Embassy to welcome in spring through a day of culture, food and fun. Bring the whole whānau and enjoy a day out with Dutch food among the tulips in the Display Garden.

Garden Walks
Āhea | When: Throughout September
Ki hea | Where: Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Embrace the beauty of spring in our garden. Explore blooming bulbs, sculptures, trees, and the secret life of bees and glow worms. Join us for enchanting walks filled with delightful discoveries. 

Spring Festival – Te Wā o te Kōanga events