About Us
At Te Ārai Native Nursery, our mission is deeply rooted in the dual objectives of preserving and reviving New Zealand's native flora and nurturing personal growth while creating job opportunities.
We are unwavering in our commitment to offer premium native plants, expert guidance, and educational materials to our valued clientele. Simultaneously, we take pride in supporting our dedicated staff in their professional journey and development.
Embracing sustainability and ethical principles, we prioritize the use of locally-sourced materials and strive to minimize our environmental footprint. Through our collective efforts, we seek to enrich biodiversity, safeguard the innate beauty of our land, and make a positive impact on the communities we are privileged to serve.
History
Te Ārai Native Nursery's roots trace back to its establishment as a Charitable Trust in 2017 by the Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust.
This Trust emerged in response to historical injustices recognized by The Crown that had hindered the economic, social, and cultural development of the Te Uri o Hau iwi.
In a significant milestone, the historical claims of Te Uri o Hau were resolved through the Settlement Act on October 17, 2002. Te Ārai Native Nursery emerged as one of several initiatives pioneered by the Trust with a singular mission: to empower the Te Uri o Hau iwi towards self-reliance and socio-economic equality.
Initially, the Nursery's primary role was to provide free native plants for conservation planting, extending its support to individuals and organizations, particularly within the Kaipara Harbour catchment area.
Today
Throughout its journey, Te Ārai Native Nursery has evolved into a highly successful operation, redefining its operational structure to align with the commercial vision of the Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust through its business arm, the Renaissance Group.
This strategic transition was made with the primary goal of securing the Nursery's long-term sustainability, thereby enabling it to continually generate employment opportunities for local communities while also contributing positively to the local environment.
Now operating as a dynamic commercial entity, our core focus lies in the wholesale supply of native plants. Furthermore, we offer personalized "Grow to Order" services for our valued customers.
Beyond plant distribution, we extend our services to encompass delivery, planting, and maintenance, ensuring that your native flora not only survives but thrives for years to come.
