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Photo taken by Kerry Worsnop
Growing Together: New Native Nursery for the East Coast
We’re restoring our whenua with native plants, community collaboration, and a vision for future generations.
Our long-anticipated native nursery project on the East Coast is now operational, as we gear up for the 2026 planting season.
The project was seeded several years ago when funding was secured from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to establish a native nursery dedicated to restoring and revitalising local whenua. The kaupapa is centred on cultivating native plants that are critical to biodiversity, soil health, and coastal resilience—ensuring a thriving natural environment for future generations.
“At its heart, this is about restoring the land, protecting it for our tamariki and mokopuna, and creating long-term environmental and community benefits,” says Josiah Cook from Nāti Growth, who has been leading the operational rollout.
Progress to Date
Since the initial funding, a wide range of groundwork has been completed, including site planning, securing consents, and building core infrastructure. The nursery now includes:
A 19-metre greenhouse and a 26-metre shade house
Two storage containers for tools and equipment
A covered work area for plant preparation
Five 30,000L water tanks for irrigation and storage
Power supply to run the greenhouse and workshed
New staff have joined the team, while existing kaimahi have undergone upskilling to support nursery operations.
A Vision for Restoration
The goal is to produce up to 50,000 native plants annually, including species such as pōhutukawa, kānuka, harakeke, and tī kōuka. These plants will support reforestation and erosion control projects across the region—starting with the restoration site at Sponge Bay near Gisborne.
“Many of these species are uniquely suited to the East Coast climate and play a vital role in stabilising soil, supporting biodiversity, and restoring mauri to our landscapes,” says Graeme Atkins, Nursery Lead. “This is about more than planting trees—it’s about reconnection. We’re giving people the chance to get their hands in the soil and be part of a movement that restores our taiao.”
Growing Opportunities for Community and Rangatahi
The nursery is also creating pathways for local learning and collaboration. A developing partnership with EIT will support horticulture training for students, offering real-world experience in a working nursery. Plans are underway to launch school-based programmes and volunteering opportunities to connect the wider community with native planting and conservation efforts.
What's been happening on our Farms this May
The farms have had a great autumn!
Our teams are busy weaning the calves, pregnancy testing the cows and doing annual stock counts. They will also be attending our local bull sales and supporting our amazing local stud breeders as we look to purchase new bulls for next season. We are also carefully applying fertiliser to replace the nutrients we used growing our grass this year, so that our soils remain fertile.
A New Chapter for a Coastal Classic - Waikanae Beach Cafe is now open
We've created a revitalised new gathering place for locals, surfers, travellers and beach lovers alike.
The iconic Waikanae Beach in Gisborne now has a new place for locals and visitors to gather, with the official opening of our Waikanae Beach Café. Located just steps from the sand, the café is already making waves with its warm atmosphere, locally sourced menu, and deep connection to the coast.
The opening marks an exciting new chapter for this popular spot, offering great coffee, seasonal kai, and unbeatable views of the sea — all in a relaxed, whānau-friendly setting.
“We wanted to create a space that reflects the spirit of Waikanae — relaxed, welcoming, and grounded in the beauty of this place,” says Neal Ebbett, Business Development Manager. “It’s a place for people to connect, refuel, and enjoy the coastline we all love.”
Community at the Heart
In addition to great food and coastal hospitality, the new café features a dedicated tourism and retail space designed to showcase and support local businesses. Visitors can access information about the Tairāwhiti region and connect with local tourism operators, helping them explore more of what the East Coast has to offer.
The retail area also highlights a carefully curated selection of locally made products, featuring well-loved brands such as Lily & Luna, Stone Studio, Metal Stag and Lindy Lou Creations- giving visitors a chance to take home a piece of the Coast.
May Giveaways
Be in to Win!
This month, we’re giving away a Wellness Pack from Frankie Apothecary - an award-winning, Ngati Porou-owned brand.
All existing subscribers are automatically entered each month.
Congratulations to our April winners:
· Sky – winner of our Tukutuku panel by Tuitui Designs
· Fairlane and Hayley - winners of our Mother's Day $100 Farmers Vouchers!
Don’t miss out on more amazing prizes! Stay tuned for upcoming winner announcements and thank you for being part of our wonderful community!
And that’s not all! In preparation for winter wellness, we’re also giving away two $100 vouchers from Casez Creations — a proudly Ngāti Porou-owned business.