In the heart of Taupō, a once-forgotten nursery is experiencing a powerful revival. Under the stewardship of He Tipu, a proudly Kaupapa Māori-led horticulture business, the site that once produced over a million native plants annually for government re-vegetation projects is coming back to life.
But this time, the approach is different. He Tipu isn’t just growing hardy native plants that can withstand the sharp frosts of Taupō – they’re growing opportunity, resilience, and the future of Māori horticulture.
He Tipu means “grow” and that’s the root of their aspirations – to grow its people, their careers, lives, and wellbeing.
The arise of He Tipu Nursery
The Taupō nursery traces its roots back to the 1960s, when the facility was instigated by government and then became Lands & Surveys and later DOC managed the site, that’s how the infrastructure was established. At its peak, it was a big operation, employing up to 50 staff, producing natives for large-scale government projects nationwide.
After privatisation, the nursery operated successfully for nearly 20 years across three sites before closing its doors in 2016. The once-thriving hub was left idle, overtaken by weeds and growth, and littered with abandoned plant pots and trays.
For tangata whenua (people of the land), the COVID pandemic underscored the urgent need for food sovereignty and local economic resilience. Recognising both the heritage and potential of the nursery, Te Pae o Waimihia Trust, the parent organisation of He Tipu, and represent six Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū, took on the project and have a lease with DOC. Part of the deal was to tidy up the operation, make it their own, and undertake the wishes of the six hapu. Their vision? Restore the nursery, re-establish supply of native plants, and create employment and training pathways for local whānau, along with maara kai (food gardens) in stage 2.
Automation breathes life back into the nursery
Rebuilding the nursery has required not only clearing physical debris on site but also rethinking how to operate sustainably in today’s environment. For He Tipu, that’s where nursery automation comes in.
In 2024, the team invested in two key pieces of Da Ros nursery machinery from PrimeHort: ‘Traycee the Trayfiller’ and the ‘Tipu Transplanter’.
