A new community-focused native plant nursery is preparing to open its gates in Medlands this April, offering eco-sourced, locally grown plants for a wide range of planting projects.
The Motu Community Nursery is the continuation of a native nursery initiative first established in 2019 by Judy Gilbert under the Windy Hill Sanctuary, as part of the sanctuary’s broader ecological restoration efforts on Aotea.
In 2024, the nursery entered a new chapter under the management of Alan Phelps and Bree Biederman, who have since expanded its scope and ambition. The pair are developing a dual-site operation—maintaining a propagation centre in Okiwi and launching a new retail site at The Village on Mason Road in Medlands.
The Medlands nursery, backed by support from Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board, is designed to foster engagement with the local community while advancing the island’s ecological restoration goals.
“Our native plant nursery ensures access to eco-sourced, locally grown plants for a wide range of planting projects including landscaping, regeneration, and waterway protection,” says Bree.
“It reduces reliance on imported plants which helps lower costs and pests while making sure the island has resilient, well-adapted native species.
“By supporting conservation, sustainability, and local livelihoods, our nursery plays a vital role in the island’s resilience and future.”
To get the nursery up and running, Alan and Bree secured two key grants through the local board’s funding programme. A Local Grant supported their transition from the original site at Mulberry Grove to a new propagation facility in Okiwi, while a Capital Grant funded the infrastructure for the Medlands retail nursery—covering fencing, gates, posts, shade and windbreak structures, water tanks, irrigation, and a solar pump system.
“One of our core focuses as a board is on local resilience and continuing to support our local groups,” says board chair Izzy Fordham.
“We encourage the community to apply for grants to help turn their plans into a reality, or progress projects already in action. Motu Nursery is a great example of achieving beneficial outcomes for the community through our grants programme.”
Motu Community Nursery will be open every Friday and Saturday during the planting season (excluding public holidays). Bree says they’re looking forward to welcoming locals to the new site and are planning an official opening celebration soon.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has helped us on the journey,” she says.
The Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board’s current grant funding round is open until Friday 2 May 2025. Community groups and individuals with ideas for projects or infrastructure initiatives are encouraged to apply.
In parallel, Auckland Council is seeking public input on its Annual Plan 2025/2026. Supporting local grants continues to be a key priority for the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board. Locals are encouraged to have their say at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan before the feedback deadline on 28 March.
