Native nursery Tītiraukawa

Whānau employment

For Ngāti Kuia, this native nursery is a crucial step towards the ultimate goal of enhancing the financial and economic well-being of whānau and ensuring prosperity in Te Tauihu. As part of the Project, aligned with the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance and funded through the Mahi mō te Taiao (Jobs for Nature) initiative by Te Papa Atawhai (Department of Conservation), Ngāti Kuia are committed to supporting the mauri (life force) and mana of te taiao (nature).

Cultural significance

Tītiraukawa, is located at the Junction of the Rai and Pelorus Rivers, an ideal place for the variety of activity that Ngāti Kuia, the Tangata Whenua of the area used it for. It was a Ngāti Kuia Pā, kāinga and seasonal kai gathering site - particularly during March to May which was the Kererū season.

Tītiraukawa also acted as a site to trade pakohe and as a stopover for the Maungatapu Trail which leads to Whakatū – Nelson, Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa then onto Te Tai Poutini - The West Coast.

At the nursery site, Ngāti Kuia is also restoring a significant wetland, Whenua Haumako. Whenua Haumako is identified in the Marlborough Environment Plan as Significant Wetland W373 and it’s named to reflect the whenua – land, ground and terrain – and Haumako, meaning rich, fertile and productive. About 3,000 native seedlings have been planted, joining existing mature podocarps on the wetland.

Restoration mahi

With the capacity to produce 200,000 seedlings annually, the nursery will play a vital role in Ngāti Kuia's restoration kaupapa, supplying essential plants to support te taiao. The nursery's infrastructure includes a header house, greenhouse, shade cover area, hardening-off space, and staff facilities, ensuring a robust and sustainable operation.