Te Puāwai is a community-led native plant nursery dedicated to growing eco-sourced riparian and restoration plants that support the regeneration of local ecosystems across the Coromandel. We work alongside schools, environmental groups, and community initiatives to strengthen biodiversity, promote kaitiakitanga, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for rangatahi and volunteers. Te Puāwai, meaning “to blossom” in te reo Māori, reflects our vision of growing strong, thriving ecosystems and connected communities.

Te Puāwai began as a school-to-work transition programme, supported by The Len Reynolds Trust, created to engage local students in environmental care while building valuable skills and pathways to employment. Since then, we’ve grown into a thriving nursery and community hub. We’ve proudly supplied bulk quantities of native plants for riparian planting throughout the Coromandel–Colville Ward, supporting catchment restoration and waterway protection efforts.

In 2024, we partnered with the Financial Mentoring Service to establish a māra kai, providing fresh produce to the foodbank and pātaka kai. This initiative was supported by Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) and Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki, helping improve food security and community wellbeing.