Kaipātiki Project | Environmental Groups

Growing sustainable future for people and nature

Based in Auckland’s North, Kaipātiki Project is an innovative EcoHub, growing a sustainable future for people and nature. We do this by empowering people, inspiring connection with nature and enabling sustainable living.

Along with over 800 volunteers annually, we run a thriving native plant nursery where we grow 40,000+ native plants every year and plant them back in the local reserves. We facilitate forest, stream and estuary regeneration days, promote zero waste and encourage local food initiatives.

We started in 1998, when a small group of enthusiastic volunteers weeded a local reserve to prevent the small forest fragment degrading further. Soon the neighbours were regularly volunteering their time and energy restoring local bush reserves.

We signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Declaration: a commitment to the advancement of the SDGs in Aotearoa. The SDG Declaration recognises the urgent need to foster collaboration and support pathways towards the SDGs in Aotearoa, with Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpinning our actions. The SDGs are designed to be "A blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all people and the world by 2030".

Ko Taropehu te maunga

Ko Oruamo te awa

Ko Te Hau Kapua te takiwā

Ko Pākaurua te rohe

Ko Te Rōpu Kaipātiki tamore mātou

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

This pepeha was kindly gifted to Kaipātiki Project by Matua Pat Ruka.

We have steadily grown over the years, and as north Auckland’s only eco-hub, we continue to inspire communities to restore local bush reserves and live sustainably.

Every year our projects protect and restore the biodiversity of the Kaipātiki area and wider north Auckland.

Our nursery grows 40,000+ eco-sourced native plants annually for community restoration projects, private backyard programmes, the Auckland Mayor’s Million Trees project and other inspiring destinations. Our work is regularly recognised and used as case studies.

Every year we deliver sustainable living events, experiences and educational opportunities for everyone.

We have a reciprocal relationship with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, with a shared methodology to our plant nurseries, and shared learning programmes for staff, volunteers and community. We are also part of the growing Hāpu Community Nurseries Network, supported by Auckland Council.

We maintain a community-driven, eco-sourced, chemical-free kaupapa.

We do a wide range of things to make it easy for you to live well within our Earth's limits:

Join our volunteering whānau to get up close with nature. From bush restoration, weeding and trapping to growing and planting, many hands make light work.
Learn about sustainable living and conservation at the hub of our operations, our Auckland North Environment Centre. We have a range of courses for all ages – including for schools and preschools. Feel great while learning with others and helping our natural world.
We hold events across the region.
Our native plant nursery sells native plants in bulk or tailored to meet your needs.
Help Aucklanders reduce food and garden waste working with Compost Collective.
Support local communities in catching rats and possums, and remove invasive weeds working with Pest Free Kaipātiki.
Engage youth and community science in Kaipātiki Stream Care programme

We have a dedicated crew of staff, tutors, Board members and volunteers who help Kaipātiki Project achieve its objectives.

Kaipātiki Project partners with a range of organisations. We’re very grateful for the support of our generous funders.

Support us in getting communities and local businesses to waste less, clean up our streams and live more sustainably.

We believe that working together, we can restore our native plants, birds, bugs and fish.

Find out how you can join us

Get Involved

View our Courses & Events

Become a Member

Volunteer

Get Involved

View our Courses & Events

Become a Member

Volunteer

Get Involved

Keen for volunteering in Auckland, tree planting and the like? Join us – there’s a range of ways to get involved. From volunteer opportunities at our native plant nursery, bush restoration and conservation opportunities to education and events. We also have a native plant nursery selling bulk plants – and our EcoShop. Or you can get involved by becoming a member or by donating to us.

Learn more