"I feel so grateful that our work here in the nursery at Kaipātiki Project is available and supported by the community," says Nicola Guthrie, the Nursery Manager at Kaipātiki Project on Auckland’s North. Her journey from a horticulture student to the steward of one of Tāmaki Makaurau's vital regeneration hubs is a powerful reminder of how passion, mentorship and community spirit are transforming our landscape.
From Apprentice to Manager
Nicola's connection to native plants began a decade ago, sparked by a horticulture course and a visit to this same nursery. "What really grabbed my attention is that we walked through Eskdale bush, now called Ōpuawānanga, and the person who took us through gave inspiring information about plants in the Ngahere and one of them was kawakawa that they grow in the nursery," she recalls. This moment of discovery ignited a deeper interest. Her transition to manager was an invaluable training, where she focused on understanding the 'why' behind existing processes before making any changes. Taking over during the busy planting season, including plant delivery, was a challenge, but the support was immediate. "The volunteers really stepped up and so did my colleagues," she says, emphasising the team effort that allowed them to spread the load and successfully complete all orders. Many volunteers have been here for a long time and hold incredible amount of knowledge, providing the continuity of activities. For Nicola, the most rewarding part of the job is the alignment of her personal values with the mission to reverse environmental damage.
The Heart of the Nursery: A Day in the Life
The role of a community nursery manager is far from predictable. "No day is the same," she notes, highlighting the dynamic nature of the work. While she dedicates two days a week to working hands-on with volunteers on production, the rest of her time is a complex blend of tasks: managing irrigation, maintenance, seed collecting, planning and fulfilling plant orders, including maintenance out in reserves. It is a role that requires more than just plant knowledge. "I think the ability to be open-minded and working with people is essential," she states. She sees her job as connecting plants with places and people. She believes the most essential skill is the ability to work effectively with the volunteers. Her approach is to provide clear direction on the 'what' and 'where,' while recognising that the volunteers "bring their own why" to the work.
Biosecurity and Plant Pass
One of the current focuses for the nursery is its preparation for Plant Pass Accreditation, the voluntary biosecurity certification scheme critical for protecting New Zealand's plant production sector. Nicola emphasises that this is vital because "you don't want to be introducing anything that would actually harm the ngahere." The preparation process has involved some upgrades, including replacing porous potting surfaces with non-porous stainless steel tables, changing the tunnel house system and investigating an upgrade to the soil bin. They are also streamlining processes with technology, such as using an iPad in the nursery to make recording orders and seeds more efficient. For her, Plant Pass is about more than compliance; it ensures that "even if I’m not here, the process of growing a healthy plant is still going to be followed," ensuring consistent quality and easier knowledge transfer for the long-term success of regeneration projects.
Regeneration and the Future
The impact of this dedication is visible across Tāmaki Makaurau. The nursery grows over 80 plant species, including difficult-to-grow plants that significantly enhance biodiversity. A recent highlight is the Papa ki Awataha project, where 1,700 plants were planted with a three-year maintenance contract. "It's been really inspiring to watch plants we nurtured in the nursery going from this little plant about 30 centimetres tall to about a metre and a half up in size now," she shares. Nicola values the network of community nurseries, which allows them to "celebrate your successes together" and share solutions. Her message to other managers, volunteers and those considering the field is clear: "Connecting with plants and like-minded people makes work a pleasure." With an open mind and a commitment to learning, anyone can contribute to growing Tāmaki Makaurau's future.