Botanical Trail in Karori Sanctuary, Wellington

Karori Sanctuary was the first, urban, mainland island, in New Zealand. It covers 225 hectares in the upper catchment of the Te Mahanga tributary of Kaiwharawhara Stream. The predator fence surrounding the site was completed in 1999. The vegetation in the Sanctuary valley comprises vigorously regenerating, indigenous forest, shrubland, flaxland and wetland, as well as exotic forest and shrubland which are progressively being eliminated. Several years ago Wellington Botanical Society offered to establish a botanical trail to encourage Sanctuary visitors to pause and study the native plants alongside Lake Road and Te Mahanga Track. This self-guided trail has developed from an idea into a reality, an easy walk from the Visitor Centre. An A3 illustrated brochure, "An introduction to some native plants in Karori Sanctuary", available at the Visitor Centre for $1, includes a botanical glossary, and the list of the common, Maori and botanical names of the plants selected. Alongside the trail, numbered posts from 1 to 16, stand beside the plants illustrated and described in the brochure. Wellington Botanical Society volunteers developed the text in consultation with the Sanctuary Marketing Team, and the society contributed to the printing cost. The Botanical Trail was opened in March. May we suggest you walk it, next time you are in Wellington. Your comments are invited.