Spotlight on Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai's Otaraua Nursery

The Kāpiti region boasts a unique and stunning landscape. Often referred to as the region that runs Ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea), it is possible to experience four seasons in one day here, as Tararua and Tasman weather patterns collide. In this ever-changing environment, caring for and preserving the magnificent taiao – the natural world that contains and surrounds us - is a constant challenge and one that Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust works tirelessly to support.

One such initiative is the Otaihanga based Otaraua Nursery managed by Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai. The nursery began as part of the Jobs for Nature initiative in collaboration with DOC, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Groundtruth, and iwi. Since December 2024, it has been fully under iwi management.

The team of staff and volunteers at the nursery grow plants that are indigenous to this region, including kohekohe, mānuka, kānuka, akeake and harakeke, from seeds harvested from many locations across the region. These natives are then planted in areas needing environmental restoration, such as streams and zones prone to flooding and erosion. Whareroa (Queen Elizabeth Park) and water courses located in the Tararua valleys are now benefiting from such plantings.

The nursery is set up to be sustainable ‘off-grid’, with electricity generating solar panels and rainwater collection in place. Located on the former Otaraua Pa site, it includes a predator free native woodland area that volunteers and visitors alike are encouraged to explore, meeting plant species as diverse as ‘bush lawyer’ and the Pitt Island nikau palm as they wander along the tracks.

The nursery also hosts school visits where students gain a deeper understanding of the natural environment, learning about native plants, local ecosystems and environmental sustainability, as they participate in practical activities together.

If you would like to help with this fantastic initiative to restore and preserve our region’s beautiful natural environment, Otaraua Nursery is currently offering two great volunteering opportunities which you can read more about and apply for here.