Kia ora
After three weeks away, Chris and Brian are back to resume the Nursery. Lots of work has been done by volunteers over that period, under Linda’s watch. Thanks Linda and everyone who has kept the place ticking over while we were away.
This Friday – 6th November 20226, we will be farewelling Eleanor, one of our most regular and lovely volunteers over many years. Eleanor and Andrew are moving to Cambridge and we wish them well and thank them for all the community group work they have been involved in throughout Southland. Please come along on Friday morning with your best baking to farewell them and give them a good Southland send-off for their new ventures.
Despite the changeable weather spring has sprung and lots of plants are responding – are either flowering, have flowered and are even seeding – which is a bit scary! Some photos below of what’s happening here and away. We are waiting for the glorious Olearia (or Shawia as it has been renamed) fragrantissima to come into flower with its deliciously scented flowers.
Whilst away, we have been attending a few botanical events – in Wellington, the 100th anniversary of the Otara Wiltons Bush Trust. Otari is still the only entirely native plant garden in the Country and we joined Chair Carol West (who many of you will know) along with the Governor General, Mayor, other dignitaries and supporters for an impressive event. We then joined the NZ Plant Conservation Network Conference for 3 days of botanical workshops, talks and field trips. We were lucky to get to Mana Island with ex-Southlanders Eric and Sandy Edwards (not only a botanical trip!) and lately have spent a week around Alexandra on the Otago Rail Trail surveying for rare plants.
Now back to the Nursery and garden and other local conservation projects – see you Friday. Even if you don’t usually come to the Nursery, but you know Eleanor, come along and enjoy giving her and Andrew a great Southland send-off.
Ngā mihi
Chris and Brian
Posted: 3 November 2026
Kia ora
Restoration Events coming up
On Nursery Volunteer day Friday 2nd October we will load up plants for Bushy Point planting which will be held on Sunday 4 October, details below
Bushy Point Planting Day 2026 - Sunday 4 October 2026
Meet Bryson Road 9.45 am for Parking and Briefing
Start Planting at 10am
Following the planting a BBQ will be held at Rances Education Centre from noon (walk through from Bushy Point, transport back to cars)
Bring your own spade, gloves, wet weather gear, snacks and drinks
Photos at https://www.otataralandcare.org.nz/news-events/bushy-point-planting-day-sunday-4-october-2026/
Details at this link https://www.sern.org.nz/events/sern-spring-field-trip-waikawa-valley-restoration/
The trip is free but bookings are essential.
Posted: 30 September 2026
After a good winter break, the Community Nursery will be re-opening on Friday 18 September 2026.
The winter in Southland has had few frosts, but lots of rain. While we have all been away, there has still been some work done in the Nursery, keeping weeds down and replacing weed matting and building a second new bench in the shadehouse – thanks Ray and thanks mainly to Geoff for weeding, with a few other helpers. Pond planting continued – thanks Jason for the great drone photo below.
Other events while closed were accompanying Jo Ogier and husband John (with Riki and supporters from Hokonui Runaka and Jim and Marcella and supporters from Eastern Southland Gallery) winning the Supreme Award at the Murihiku Creative Arts Awards in August (the exhibition “He Wai Apakura – Te Ara Pounamu The River’s Lament - A Pathway of Treasures” will be at Te Atamira Gallery in Frankton from 26 November to end of January 2027).
We organised a “Hands Off Our Conservation Land” at Bushy Point in August and recently attended botanist Cathy Jones 80th Birthday Dance Party in Nelson in September!
Jobs to be done on opening day will be cleaning weedmat and paths, starting the new seasons potting up and pricking out and weeding always! A few seeds are coming up early in spring and natives are starting to flower already. Watering will not be needed!!
Plant orders are going out of the Nursery and the main Bushy Point planting day is coming up on Sunday 4 October 2026. The Nursery plays a big role in this planting and will be putting out plants on Friday 2nd October, and it will be great to see as many people as possible on the planting day. Details at https://www.otataralandcare.org.nz/news-events/bushy-point-planting-day-sunday-4-october-2026/
Chris and Brian
Posted: 14 September 2026
Bushy Point guided walk with Botanist Brian Rance is part of the Nationwide Day of action against the present Government’s Conservation Amendment Bill.
Bushy Point, as Conservation land without a status, is exactly the sort of land the Government could sell off under this proposed Bill. The Otatara Landcare Group and community have been planting and controlling pests on this Public Conservation Land for over 25 years. Join us to celebrate the progress that has been made and oppose the Bill that will elevate “Economic Interest” above “Conservation” in the Conservation Act!
For more information read – “New Zealands Conservation Jewels are not for sale” – by Southland’s Robin McNeill and Allan Brent Federated Mountain Clubs
https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-press/20260629/281702621439771?srsltid=AfmBOoppjj-21c1WTQKlRfxLCDN9gialSDJDNUVPY6PLZ4DFpL5dLVqU
If you havent been to Bushy Point for a while below are a few photographs which show the progress made and what is at stake.
Meet at Bryson Road (Otatara) entrance to Bushy Point at Noon (bring your lunch). The walk will take about an hour.
Chris and Brian
Posted: 9 August 2026
After a flurry of activity at the Nursery in June, and a number visits and planting events, we are closing the Nursery for winter on Friday 27 June 2026.
While volunteer numbers remain high, there is less nursery work to do and we all need a winter break, so we can come back fresh in springtime (well, we do, in our 30th year of running the Nursery!).
Lots of people wonder, or ask, where do the Nursery plants go? – so I made a quick list of some projects – Kowhai Reach, Bushy Point, Oreti Totara Dune Forest, Thomsons Bush, Woodlands School, Waihopai planting, Otatara School, Maloneys and other QEII Covenants, Castledown Wetlands, Citizenship Ceremonies for ICC and SDC coordinated by Multicultural Society, and lots of individuals – including quite a few Otatara subdivisions! And our own place with new pond plantings taking place over recent Fridays. For those here last week we were entertained again by a kingfisher on the “Bittern” and recently lots of gorgeous waxeyes and fantails.
We will have a Break-up on Friday 27 June, so bring your best baking. There will be some work to do but more a social get-together and a celebration of what we have all done this season.
We cant underestimate the great networking and socially uplifting enthusiasm everyone gets from getting together, doing work together and having fun together, as well as growing a lot of native plants – all in a super natural environment.
Brian and I would like to personally thank everyone who has helped out this year and look forward to your return in springtime. We will still be available for queries and advice so please email or call (Chris 021660361) if you need anything or want to order plants for spring.
Chris and Brian
Posted: 21 June 2026
