Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust is a Wānaka non-profit organisation that eco-sources seeds from the Upper Clutha area, raises seedlings in our extensive nursery, and facilitates community-based native planting and habitat restoration.
We foster community engagement with native habitat restoration, through plant propagation, planting, maintenance, education and ongoing participation.
Read our 2024 impact report to learn more about work and achivements.
Collaboration with local community groups, schools, businesses and individuals is central to our promotion of hands-on community land care.
Get Involved
Help us rebuild local native habitats one plant at a time. Volunteers play an integral part in our efforts and we welcome anyone, of all ages and skills, who are keen to get involved and learn about plant propagation and habitat restoration. Your help can really make a difference.
Nursery sessions
Our nursery sessions run throughout the year, bringing together a community of volunteers passionate about making a difference in habitat restoration around the Upper Clutha region.
Nursery volunteer days are open to all members of the public and are held every Tuesday & Wednesday from 9am-12pm (spring/summer | October-March) and 1pm-4pm (autumn/winter | April-September).
These volunteer sessions teach propagation/cultivation techniques, leading on to planting and nurturing of the young plants on project sites and are guided by our Nursery Manager. No specific skills or experience are needed, simply drop in and join us.
From May to September, some of the nursery sessions will be “in the field” at planting sites. Find out by emailing us or checking our FB page.
Access to the nursery is through the QEII Reserve, either through the gate or over the nursery stile. See our location and directions here.
Delicious coffee from our local Venus Coffee roastery, tea and snacks are provided alongside great company and magnificent views of Lake Wānaka.
Community planting sessions
Our planting sessions take place in spring, autumn and winter, with maintenance sessions throughout the year to help look after the plants and habitat restoration areas.
These sessions are a great opportunity to see first-hand where the plants that are grown in our nursery go.
In 2024, we planted over 5,300 plants with the community! Over summer, many volunteers helped with watering plants. It was a big job!
Now is the time to continue to look after what we have planted (planting is only a small part of the process), and start planting again!
Our first planting of the season will be on the 3rd May 2025, from 10am to 12.30pm at Dublin Bay with WAI Wānaka.
Please check our Facebook page to find out more about the planting sessions and other events. Alternatively, feel free to contact us to register your interest.
Maintenance sessions
We plant thousands of native plants every year and it is imperative to ensure that they thrive out in the habitat restoration areas. Many hands make light work so we encourage volunteers to help with watering and plant maintenance throughout the year.
There are watering drums set up at various planting sites, such as on the Millenium Track, Roys Bay West, Bremner Bay, and Albert Town (bottom of Gunn Road, Templeton Park on Kinnibeg Street, Kahuika), so feel free to water the plants when you’re walking or biking along these areas. Alternatively, get in touch with us if you’d like to be part of our watering roster.
Interwoven project
The Interwoven project is about weaving harakeke plant guards to protect our native plants. It’s also about weaving together people, culture and our environment.
We are running a series of workshops to teach anyone interested to learn how to weave these amazing plant guards.