We are excited to announce that Aotea Community Native Plant Nursery has set out for new growth.

The Community Nursery was established in 2019 and has been run by Windy Hill Sanctuary since it’s inception. Now, it is operating as a social enterprise – Motu Community Nursery, run by Alan Phelps & Bree Biederman.

Alan Phelps has 35 years of native plant experience on Aotea. He used to own and run Motu Nursery which he then passed to his daughter, Casey Fisher who ran it as Okiwi Green. Alan has extensive knowledge of our native plants, large restoration projects, wetlands and waterways planting as well as fencing.

Bree Biederman has lived and worked on Aotea since 2018. She first worked with Okiwi Passion for 2.5 years, becoming passionate about growing. She has worked with many of our community groups & businesses over the years and also runs Aotea Advocate.

Previously, Bree & Alan have managed a large private wetland restoration project together, growing over 50,000 native plants. They will bring forth their extensive combined knowledge and experience into Motu Community Nursery.

For now, the retail site for the nursery will still be located in Mulberry Grove, where it has always been, at the end of Garden Road, with opening hours to the public remaining the same on Saturdays from 10am-2pm.

In the near future, Motu Community Nursery will have two locations. Their main growing nursery will be located in Okiwi, with the retail site to move to Medlands come Spring. Stay tuned for more information surrounding this move.

In addition to taking over the Community Nursery, they have also procured all remaining stock from Okiwi Green as Casey & Ben looked to close their private nursery.

Alan and Bree have set lofty goals for the Community Nursery, which include many social impact outcomes. They will host workshops, seed collection walks, and other learning opportunities.

In line with their social and environmental impact goals, for every 25 plants sold, Motu Community Nursery will be donating 1 plant to a community group or kura, to aid them in their restoration or planting aspirations.

We are looking forward to working with and alongside our community, groups and local businesses to achieve growing, restoration and climate change mitigation goals with eco-sourced and biosecure plants.

It is important that the restoration efforts on Aotea are achieved using eco-sourced and grown plants. This helps us not only reduce bio-security risks, but also ensures that the plants are well suited for this whenua, securing a strong future for Aotea. Eco-sourced plants help to preserve the ecological distinctiveness of an area, and eco-sourced plants fare better and are adapted to survive in our local conditions.

Gratitude & Thanks

We extend our gratitude to Windy Hill Sanctuary for all their hard work over the last five years, establishing the nursery and for entrusting us to take it into the future.

A heartfelt thank you to Casey Fisher & Ben Robinson for their incredible mahi with Okiwi Green. We are so grateful to you both and must recognize the incredible job you’ve done with your nursery.

And finally, a thank you to our Local Board & Auckland Council for their support towards this critical resource on Aotea.

Waterway Protection Fund Opens

Are you familiar with some of the resources and support for restoration and waterways protection available through Auckland Council? A new grant round is about to open on 29 July. This round is aimed at waterways protection and has a strong focus on Aotea. For full details and criteria, please visit: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and search “Waterway Protection Fund” or phone land advisor, Amber, on 027 214 9778