Te Whangai Trust

Te Whangai Trust has established a sustainable eco-nursery in Miranda which employs 16 staff and nurtures around 120,000 native plants, making an impressive start since its establishment in November 2007.

Te Whangai offers expertise in all areas of environmental planting and supplies a variety of quality natives to other businesses and organisations. In addition, Te Whangai fosters social and environmental self-help within the community, by the community.

Supported by the Ministry of Social Development, Te Whangai provides employment to the unemployed, up-skilling and building self esteem and dignity.  Through its ethos, commitment, operations and relationships Te Whangai is set up to create a positive impact on the community and New Zealand’s environmental performance.

The challenge

Te Whangai Trust sees potential for the long term unemployed to make a positive contribution to their community and to the environment.

Some responses

• In the nursery all potting materials are recycled from seed trays to potting holders.
• Seeds are eco-sourced from the local area. All seedlings are housed outside and hardened rather than kept indoors in heated houses.
• The nursery layout was designed to make use of natural sunlight and also be sheltered from prevailing winds. The plastic and shade houses and shedding are designed for maximum protection of the key nursery area with earth bunds providing protection from nor-easterly winds. In time these bunds will be planted as display areas.
• Drums are used to collect rainwater by the potting houses for hand watering.
• Te Whangai team members are valued and respected and each of their personal challenges and goals are acknowledged.

The results

• Te Whangai employs 16 staff and nurtures around 120,000 native plants.
• To date Te Whangai has found employment for 25 at risk members, five at risk youth returned to education and placed in excess of 60 probation attendees within Te Whangai.

Waikato Regional Awards judges' comments

• Te Whangai Trust has a deep commitment to sustainable living and delivers environmentally and socially regenerative products and services.
• With a plan to become self sufficient of external funding, the Trust is a great example of an organisation looking to deliver true benefits across the social, environmental, economic and cultural realms.
• Its future growth and contribution to people, local economy and the environment will be watched with interest.