Native Plant Nursery

Community nursery that's all about people and biodiversity

Plants grown for local reserves

Volunteers at work

Exemplar biodiverse native plant nursery

A hive of activity playing a vital role in regenerating nature

We eco-source, propagate and pot up tens of thousands of native plants every year to help restore the bush for our native birds, animals and plants, and remove carbon from the atmosphere. Our community-driven, chemical-free kaupapa reflects a regenerative, whole systems approach.

The plants are used in regenerating local reserves, and supply groups and individuals for their restoration projects. Community involvement and learning are crucial to our work – it is really important to us that there is an educational component for our volunteers when they come to us. We rely on the combined effort of our staff and volunteers to keep our nurseries and restoration work going.

Order plants Volunteer

Looking for greater diversity or a specific species?

We continue to expand our range of plants to support biodiversity of our ngahere, which is under threat. Biodiversity can help provide greater stability and resilience while navigating changes due to climate change.

Growing a wide range of plants (80+ species!), we offer a true library of native plants, including less common, yet equally important species that play a part in our ngahere. We grow trees, shrubs, groundcover, grasses, harakeke, ferns, climbers and palms.

We are working towards Plant Pass certification to enhance biosecurity in our nursery. This voluntary scheme helps protect our plants, customers and environment from pests and diseases. This certification also protects our nursery from potential devastation and ensures the wider sector's sustainability and health for future generations.

Nicola in the nursery

Connecting for a larger vision

As it was formerly known, the Iwi, Hapū & Community Nursery Network was established in 2018 with the overarching goal to increase biodiversity across the Auckland Region. The programme began from a need for community nurseries to work collectively. Supported by Auckland Council Biosecurity and Biodiversity, Kaipātiki Project partnered with Uru Whakaaro to facilitate and support the network.

The kaupapa of the Te Aka Kōtuia - Kaitiaki & Community Nurseries is to share information, methods and seeds across native plant nurseries, and by doing so increase the biodiversity of native plant life across the Auckland Region. It aims to tautoko and encourages nurseries and potential nurseries to work collectively; to know who was growing what, and where, support one another by sharing knowledge about growing native plants. The network also supports communications around how to set up and manage native plant nurseries.

Te Aka Kotuia

Learn more about native plants we grow

Click here to learn more about the native plant species we grow — from ground covers and climbers to grasses, shrubs and trees. Discover what makes each one special and how they contribute to a thriving ecosystem.

Understanding native plants helps you make informed choices for your backyard, support local biodiversity and contribute to restoring natural habitats. Each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem — from attracting pollinators to improving soil health — and learning about them is a great step toward sustainable living.

Climbers 1200x900

Weekly volunteer opportunities

Explore rewarding volunteer experiences at our two nursery sites! Engage in activities such as propagating plants, potting seedlings, weeding, moving plants, and maintaining the nursery surroundings. A variety of tasks are available to suit different people.

Register below for Volunteer Welcome Session to join in. Please wear closed shoes, bring sunblock, sun hat, water and a raincoat if it rains. Some level of mobility and the ability to follow simple instructions is necessary. Gloves are provided but not personal.

Birkdale nursery & garden, 17 Lauderdale Road, Birkdale
- Nursery volunteering: Mondays & Thursdays, 9am – 12pm
- Garden volunteering: Thursdays, 9am – 12pm
Engine Bay garden, Cnr. Bomb Point Drive & Mollusc Road, Hobsonville Point
- Gardening & compost hub volunteering: Wednesdays, 9am - 12pm

Nursery pruning 1200 900 px

Volunteer welcome day