Meet the Team
Ko wai hoki? Who are we?
There is currently 16 staff employed at Te Arai Native Nursery, with 6 of the staff who whakapapa back to Te Uri o Hau. Each of our Supervisor's specialize in an array of areas which are beneficial to the operations and development of the nursery. For Te Arai Native Nursery to achieve its social, economic, environmental, and cultural aspirations, the nursery is always looking at creating employment opportunities for tangata whenua and beyond, and ensuring the wellbeing of the land is up held by putting native plants back into the whenua.
Stacey Perkinson
Nursery Business Manager
Stacey joined the Nursery in 2021 as a Nursery Hand and has progressed into one of the leading roles here at Te Arai Native Nursery.
Going into 2022 he is taking charge of the Planting crew for the year and was involved with the Te Arai Hillside planting last year. Stace links into Te Uri o Hau hailing from Waikaretu Marae in Pouto, but also whakapapa backs to Ngatiwai through Mokau Marae in Whangaruru.
Jaiya Skipper
Nursery Production Data | Health and Safety Coordinator
After Jaiya joined the nursery team in 2018, his impact was felt as soon as he started. He is not only great at managing his own responsibilities, but serves as a great ambassador to our customers. He has developed into a key all-rounder for the team and has become a crucial leader within the organization. He is a descendent of Te Uri o Hau through the Otamatea marae.
Sam Gardner
Plant Production Supervisor
Sam is a seasoned planter having joined Te Arai Native Nursery last year with a strong history in planting, having previously planted for Rural Design for close to 7 years. Bringing his knowledge and expertise in both plant health and planting, making him an integral part of the Nursery in propagation and prospective planting jobs from the Nursery.
Mark Stewart
Nursery Irrigation and Maintenance Coordinator
Mark has been working for Te Arai Native Nursery for a few years now and has become the go to guy for all of our maintenance needs at the nursery. Having spent a majority of his time in Australia he moved back to New Zealand in 2016 and joined on with the Nursery in 2019. He looks after all of our irrigation systems and is in charge of the upkeep of the Nursery, he keeps the motor of the operation running.