Wellington Botanic Garden

Wellington Botanic Garden
A path in the Wellington Botanic Garden during spring
Map
TypeMunicipal botanical garden
LocationWellington, New Zealand
Coordinates41°16′58″S 174°45′58″E / 41.2829°S 174.7660°E / -41.2829; 174.7660
Area25 ha (62 acres)
Created1868
Operated byWellington City Council
StatusOpen all year
Public transit accessMetlink route 2
Wellington Cable Car

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is a botanical garden close to central Wellington in New Zealand. It covers 25 ha (62 acres) of land in a valley between Thorndon and Kelburn, with Glenmore Street as a boundary along the valley floor. One of the access points is from the top of the Wellington Cable Car. The garden is managed by Wellington City Council, and features protected native forest, conifers, plant collections and seasonal displays and an extensive rose garden. It is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. In 2004 it was listed as a historic area by Heritage New Zealand. Large sculptures and carvings are located throughout the garden.

Before the garden was established, the area was used by the Ngāti Te Whiti hapū of Te Āti Awa for growing and gathering food for Kumutoto and Pipitea . It was later established as a botanic gardens on a 5.3 ha (13 acres) site in 1868 and extended to 28 ha (68 acres) 68 acres in 1871. The Botanic Garden contains remnants of lowland broadleaf native forest. A variety of native birds can be found in the garden.