Engine Bay Native Plant Nursery has been around for 10 years and it still operates out of a shed with very limited facilities. Yet, this does not deter the regular volunteers to turn up weekly all year-round in all conditions, rain or shine.
Run by an environmental organisation Kaipātiki Project, the nursery grows 10,000 native plants each year used in restoration of the local coastal area. The enthusiastic volunteers at the nursery are truly committed to enhancing native biodiversity in the local area and support sustainable living practices. Their work includes potting up and propagate plants, maintaining the grounds, removing weeds and growing thousands of locally sourced native plants. The volunteers have also established a community orchard and a food forest to grow organic vegetables, fruit and herbs.
Tucked away in Hobsonville Point by a coastal walkway, the team has been instrumental in setting up Hobsonville Community Compost Hub in 2020, to help divert a significant amount of local food waste from landfill and turn it into living compost.
In celebration of its 10th birthday, the Engine Bay Nursery opened its green doors and hosted a community Enviro Day. To make the birthday even sweeter, the amazing efforts of the dedicated volunteers have now been recognised at the Upper Harbour Volunteer Awards evening winning them the Environment Award, hosted by Upper Harbour Local Board.
We are extremely proud of our volunteers and humbled to be working with them.
To volunteer or get involved in a community compost hub, get in touch at [email protected].