Native Plant Nursery

Introduction

The Pa Harakeke Native Plant Nursery was established following significant research which revealed the unique flora and fauna of the Pureora Forest region. The plants grown at Pa Harakeke were first raised in the Nursery and have been planted extensively around the facility for the enjoyment of visitors. The plants will be harvested in later years for their Rongoa (medicinal) properties and used in the making of natural medicines.

Native Plant seeds or seedlings are being extracted from the Maraeroa Forest at Pureora by our Pa harakeke staff and then raised in the Native Plant Nursery. Specific plants are also being raised for the Eco-Planting Carbon Offset program whilst others are available for purchase by customers who visit Pa Harakeke.

Native Plant Nursery Facility

The Pa Harakeke Native Plant Nursery facility consists of; a greenhouse for seed raising, a shelter for hardening off plants and storage area for the larger plants. A small garden has also been established to grow Maori vegetables such as Riwai (Potatoes), Kumara (Sweet Potato) and Kaanga (Maori Corn)

Native Plant stocks for the Nursery are grown from seeds gathered from trees in the area with most coming from the 5,500ha Maraeroa C block.

Retail Sales

Native plants raised in the nursery are available for sale to the general public. They can be purchased in single units or in greater numbers.

Wholesale

Native plants are also grown to specification for sale to corporate clients who require larger volumes of trees for riparian plantings, landscaping projects and restoration projects.

Tanekaha Forest

The Maraeroa forest is home to the largest Tanekaha forest in the North Island. The Tanekaha forest is some 120ha in size with hundreds of varieties of native trees and plant growing in a pristine environment. Both seedlings and seeds are gathered from this site as well as in other areas of the Pine forest.

Tanekaha is renown amongst the tribes for its many useful qualities.  The bark makes a very attractive and permanent yellow textile die used in the art of weaving giving colour to the body and trim of fine cloaks, magnificent mats, everyday basketry, and personal adornments and traditional clothing.

The forest floor beneath the Tanekaha provides a home to the Puareinga a plant known also by the name Puawai-o-Hine-nui-i-te-po or the Flowers of Hades as it is commonly known in English.  The sweetly perfumed nocturnal flowers of this little plant provide nectar to the secretive and rare Pekapeka or native bat.

The Tanekaha produces a quality timber which is strong and yet pliable, and is a good stable wood for carving even when freshly cut.  Young saplings are sometimes knotted and shaped to form walking sticks with handle and left to grow till they are of the right thickness and maturity.

The leaves and sticky flowers provide relief and remedies for chest congestion and other respiratory complaints. The usefulness and beauty of the treasured Tanekaha are enduring.

Herbs & Spices

Maraeroa C block is also home to a variety of plants such as Horopito and which are used by chefs and food producers around New Zealand to compliment their culinary fare.

The Nursery team has identified the areas in the block where such plants are found in abundance and are sustainably harvested for clients in the food industry.

The plants are also grown in a special grove at Pa Harakeke so visitors can view them in their natural habitat

Medicine

Most native plants have a medicinal use and these are also gathered when required to treat ailments.

Many of the plants have been extracted from the Maraeroa forest for sale through the nursery whilst also grown in a special grove at Pa Harakeke so visitors can view them.

Food

Traditional Maori food in pre-European times included a staple of Kumara and bush food such as Miro Berries, Ti Kouka, Puha and Pikopiko. These foods are still collected today from the Maraeroa forest and are enjoyed by the local whanau (families).

Photo Gallery

Go to the photo gallery to view photos of the Native Plant Nursery