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 2025 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 from Wednesday 1st April (autumn/winter).
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.
Our first community planting session will be on the 2nd May from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Peninsula Bay, at the end of Penrith Drive, Wānaka. All welcome!
We will supply the tools and afternoon tea. Bring your own gardening gloves if you have them (we have spare), a cup for a cuppa after the planting and your friends and whānau.
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, Bremner Bay, and Albert Town (bottom of Gunn Road, and Templeton Park on Kinnibeg Street, Kahuika), Lakeside (just past the Wanaka Yacht Club, and Domini Park so feel free to water the plants when you’re walking or biking along these areas.
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 run regular workshops that are free to attend. Registration is required so we know how much harakeke/flax to harvest. We don’t want to waste any. You can click on the link below to register.
There are 20 spots for each workshop.
Keep checking back with more dates for this project.
We are looking for a new Trust Manager! Is this you?
The Trust Manager has a key role and helps lead our operational activites and ensure that our work is aligned with our strategic priorities. This includes a strong focus on building and maintaining partnerships, fundraising and promoting Te Kākano within the community.
You can access the full role description here.
For more information, contact us.
