Nurseries praised for their growth

Fifteen accredited nurseries from throughout the Kaipara Moana Remediation have come together to share their learnings of the first three years of activity under the KMR kaupapa.

The knowledge sharing session was in fact a celebration of the passion those people have for growing and planting the natives, as they work with KMR’s Field Advisors to make a positive difference to the environment – by reducing sedimentation into the Kaipara Moana.

KMR works alongside accredited nurseries, supporting them in their efforts to supply high quality plants to the many landowners and groups planting trees with KMR’s support.

KMR Pou Tātaki Justine Daw is paying tribute to the efforts of KMR’s accredited nurseries and the collaboration and support KMR’s Field Advisors have provided in working with the nurseries and landowners involved in fencing off waterways and planting natives.

“We’ve had a fantastic year in 2024 and are already looking ahead to a really successful 2025,” says Justine.

“If you are in the catchment (Auckland and Northland) and are thinking about a 2025 winter planting project, I urge people to get in touch with us early. Our 19 accredited nurseries need to plan for riparian and hill country planting, and we are also expecting to see some exotic afforestation this coming winter (2025), which is of interest to farmers looking to diversify revenue streams.

KMR has been going for three years now and we have more than 1.93 million plants planted or contracted for planting. In total, that is over 806-hectares of land planted, contracted to plant or regenerating into native forest, with 130,000ha under Sediment Reduction Plans. There has also been 865km of fencing completed or contracted – that is the same distance as from Cape Rēinga to Napier,” she says.

Facilitator of the nursery hui and KMR Planting Specialist – Nursery Liaison, Dave McDermott, says the hui was extremely productive.

“It allowed everyone in the room to speak of their learnings, challenges and successes and map out how we can all work to together better in 2025 and beyond, by sharing our knowledge, processes and systems,” says Dave.

“Nurseries are a key connector as they are intrinsically linked to contractors and landowners. Their plant quality, biosecurity and seed sourcing are critical in establishing resilient native forests. Our accredited nurseries are also essential to the success of KMR in the way they share their knowledge and assist their clients with queries around plants.

“They are big contributors to the KMR kaupapa and that is why the team at KMR aims to make it easy for the nurseries and contractors to get plants to planting projects. It is all about working together and being adaptable to challenges and opportunities,” he says.

Babylon Coast Garden’s Halina Sneddon was among those present at the hui and says she got a lot out of the day.

The nursery specialises in growing mānuka, kānuka and harakeke on Babylon Coast Road, 20 minutes out of Dargaville.

“As we are new to the nursery industry, everything is a learning curve for us. When we bought the property, KMR was one of the first customers to visit the nursery. KMR’s David McDermott was extremely knowledgeable and supportive of our venture,” says Halina.

“The KMR nursery hui was the first meeting we have attended and we found it extremely helpful and an awesome way to meet other nurseries, both big and small. The knowledge shared was invaluable in terms of seed knowledge, Plant Pass info and general site information. Dave McDermott has always made himself available and offers his knowledge whenever possible,” she says.

Another Hui attendee was Kaipara Coast Plant Centre’s Head Conservationist, David Bayly, who says he grown up living near the Kaipara Harbour and has witnessed significant sedimentation and changes to the shoreline over the past 40 years.

“Because of this, we are very pleased to see KMR developing from concept stage through to having millions of plants in the ground,” says David.

“We have been able to point a number of clients towards KMR, and the KMR Field Advisors have been brilliant in helping co-ordinate the planting projects for them, which have resulted in areas being planted that would normally have been too hard for the landowners to have organised and financed fully themselves.

“KMR have been excellent to work with, have provided great support and have also opened up networking opportunities for nurseries.”

Meanwhile, Tupua Te Ōrewai Native Nursery’s Bernadine Kiro says they can’t speak highly enough of being able to work with KMR and are looking forward to lifting productivity in the Pīpīwai nursery in 2025 by utilising locally sourced native seeds.

Pīpīwai is at the top of the Kaipara Moana catchment, with the Wairua River flowing directly into the Kaipara.

“Through KMR we have met a wider group of landowners, helping us grow our networks within our rōpū, both through KMR and word of mouth,” says Bernadine.