News & Events

Otatara Landcare Group is organising tree releasing sessions at Bushy Point on Wednesday evenings in February, starting on 4th and continuing through to 25th , from 6-7pm, weather permitting.

Meet at the Bryson Rd entrance to Bushy Point.

On the first Wednesday (4th) we will be cutting out broom and lupins which threaten seedlings near the Bryson Rd entrance. From Bryson Rd walk along the main track until it splits and take the path to the left.

After that, we will move on to the area below the lookout seat that we worked on last November. We’ve already cut out most of the big lupin plants, but new lupins and other weeds are coming up and these need pulling out before they become a problem. Some seedlings will also need releasing from grass that’s growing up inside their protective coverings.

Please bring:

-shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass
-gardening gloves
-clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions
-a face mask if you are allergic to dust or grass seeds
-safety (or other) glasses to protect eyes when weeding amid tall grass stalks
-secateurs and/or a small pruning saw if possible for dealing with the larger broom/lupin plants.

Please feel free to join the working bee at any stage, and only stay for as long as you can.

Please contact Geoff Dembo on 027 378 6844 for more information or to find out where we are working on the night.

When: Thursday 22nd January, 7-8:30 pm.

Where: Bowman’s Bush (meet on Spence Ave, access via Paterson Reserve) What: Pulling out Chilean flame-creeper, an invasive weed.

This is done annually to keep Bowman’s Bush from being smothered. QEII would like to thank the key supporters of Bowman’s Bush - diligent local residents and Otatara Landcare Group volunteers for their weeding help for nearly two decades, Otatara Pestbusters for their predator control and Invercargill City Council for maintaining the walking track.

What to bring: Practical clothes for working in the bush off the track, gloves can be helpful. No tools or herbicide necessary. For more information contact: Jesse Bythell, QEII National Trust Regional Representative (Enable JavaScript to view protected content., 020 400 32109).

Packed with lots of local OLG Information the Summer Pigeon Post is here (PDF, 2.94 MB)

November 2025, 6 – 7pm

Can you help?

Strong Spring grass growth this year is putting real pressure on many of the young trees, released from lupins earlier this year, which now urgently need releasing from encroaching grass if they are to survive and prosper this year.

So Otatara Landcare Group is organising tree releasing sessions at Bushy Point each Wednesday in November starting on the 5th, from 6 to 7pm, weather permitting. Various methods can be used to release the trees and suppress competing grass etc growth, as will be demonstrated at the time. If you can help, please meet at the lookout seat, accessed from the Bryson Rd entrance to Bushy Point. Kids can help too, finding and marking the seedlings hidden in the tall grass!

If possible, please bring:
Ø shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass
Ø gardening gloves
Ø clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions
Ø a face mask if you are allergic to dust or grass seeds
Ø safety (or other) glasses to protect eyes when weeding amid tall grass
Ø secateurs and/or a small pruning saw for working in bracken/lupins
Ø ideally, a pair of sharp garden shears suitable for cutting grass
Ø something to drink, especially in hot conditions.
Look forward to seeing you whenever you can make it!

Douglas

On Saturday 18th October 2025, the Otatara Landcare Group celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Group and its flagship project the Bushy Point Restoration Project.

The spring weather provided its challenges for organisation but we managed to fit the planting and tree releasing morning between days of southerly winds, rain and hail. The planting morning itself was amazingly beautiful. However, as a contingency we had organised the BBQ to be in the Education Centre at the Rances Southland Community Nursery, just a short walk through from the Bushy Point project.

The Friday before, all the plants and combi-guards had been put out on site from the Southland Community Nursery by volunteers of the Landcare Group and the Nursery. The BBQ, supplied by GWD Russel was brought to the Nursery and the portaloo delivered to the planting site by ICC. The Otatara School had also come that day to plant 100 kahikatea and pokaka plants under Bronwyn’s supervision. These plants were put into gaps within the shelter of the established plantings near the pond.

The new entrance interpretation sign was put in place that week by Creation Signs. The Entrance sign has been redesigned by Helen Stewart and Cathy MacFie to reflect the 25 year journey, recognise Barry Smiths contribution and show some stunning “before” and “after” drone photos by Jason Hosking.

On the Planting Day, Chris and Cathy met over 60 people at the gate, Geoff Dembo gave an introduction (Chair Richard had broken his leg the week before!) and Barry Smith gave the H&S talk and the plan for the day. Then we were off - planting, tree releasing, starting up the monster bbq (womened by Linda Jackson, Cathy MacFie and Sally Duston) and in quick time it was done followed by a walk over to the pond – renamed “Barrys Pond” in recognition of the work Barry Smith has done over the 25 years. Brian gave a talk on the restoration and Barry a demonstration of how the mulcher mower cuts through the gorse between the plants in the “plantation” area. They also recognised the Laidlaw family who had come for the day, at the Barrys Pond sign and seat for Maymee and Kevin Laidlaw - our All Black Legend from the 2011 Living Legends Project.

The BBQ was cranking, eventually, and sausages were ready when we all walked through to the Nursery. John McCarroll from DOC gave a short speech acknowledging the Landcare Group and the 25 year project and Brian acknowledged funders, in particular Environment Southland’s EEF Fund and support. Then the cakes – beautifully decorated by Linda (OLG) and Dani (DOC) were cut by the “originals” – the five members of the committee who have been there since the beginning – Barry Smith, Lloyd Esler, Cathy MacFie, Brian and Chris Rance.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a very memorable occasion and to Barry for the lions share of the organising.

Chris Rance