About us

Welcome to Plant Hawke’s Bay

The experts in eco-sourced seeds and locally grown trees and shrubs, nurtured specifically for our local landscape.

Our story

Plant Hawke’s Bay started in 2005 as the result of a restoration project at Bay View. Our founder Marie Taylor spent eight years learning about revegetation processes as she re-established forest on an east-facing cliff. This hands-on mahi was the best way to learn about the most suitable local species and how they grow.

The project proved demand for tough and hardy locally sourced and grown plants. It led Marie to set up a nursery in Ahuriri. Production grew each year until 2020 when she joined forces with Hawke’s Bay farmers Rob and Coral Buddo.

In 2020, we bought an existing nursery site at Waiohiki, Napier. At this new home for Plant Hawke’s Bay we have expanded production significantly as we grow our passion and dedication to the Hawke’s Bay environment and those who work and care for the land.

Marie Taylor Founder of Plant Hawke's Bay giving a talk to an audience
Marie Taylor Founder of Plant Hawke's Bay giving a talk to an audience

Marie Taylor, Managing Director, Plant Hawke’s Bay

Meet our team

We are passionate specialists who truly care about the Hawke’s Bay landscape and seeing our native flora flourish.

Marie Taylor Managing Director Plant Hawkes Bay

Marie Taylor

Managing Director

Bianca Kitchin Sales Manager Plant Hawke's Bay

Bianca Kitchin

Sales Manager

Alice Hawera Operations Manager Plant Hawke's Bay

Alice Hawera

Operations Manager

Paul Treneman Growing Manager Plant Hawke's Bay

Paul Treneman

Growing Manager

Our Board of Directors

Marie Taylor Managing Director Plant Hawkes Bay

Marie Taylor

Managing Director

Rob Buddo Board Member of Plant Hawkes Bay

Rob Buddo

Director

Coral Buddo Board Member of Plant Hawkes Bay

Coral Buddo

Director

Greg Morice Board Member of Plant Hawkes Bay

Greg Morice

Director

Kakabeak image

Our Values

Knowledge drives everything

We have deep understanding and expertise of Hawke’s Bay plant life and landscape to lead the charge in revitalising the region for future generations.

The plants come first

Everything we do is for the good of our local plants and ecosystems, and for those who care for the local environment; farmers, growers, landowners and communities.

Guardians of Hawke’s Bay

This is the region we know, we love and that we specialise in. Through our expertise, guidance and care, we champion Hawke’s Bay environment and local species.

Ecosystem driven

The environment is our why. We’re here to respect, restore and protect local biodiversity for future generations. We do what is right by the local environment.

Our technology

We support the hard work of our staff with technology – all of our plants are lifted and moved around by pivot loader to reduce stress on the body and aid efficiency.

We’ve introduced technology where needed across our operation including seed cleaning and sowing technology, as well as machines to pot, fill trays, move plants and aggregate them. We have automated irrigation systems, and we often use a drone operator to spray our crops as its proven to be safer and more effective.

Technology at Plant Hawke's Bay

Watch Marie talk about the technology and automation introduced to improve efficiency and worker wellbeing.

Technology at Plant Hawke's Bay
Technology at Plant Hawke's Bay
Potting machine at Plant Hawke's Bay
Poplar spraying by drone at Plant Hawke's Bay
Technology at Plant Hawke's Bay

Watch Marie talk about the technology and automation introduced to improve efficiency and worker wellbeing.

Every plant has a story to tell. We have an obligation to listen, nurture and protect our local plants for the future of the Hawke’s Bay environment.

Marie Taylor, Founder

We support industry good

Plant Hawke’s Bay is a proud supporter of New Zealand Plant Producers Inc (NZPPI), the nursery industry body. Our voluntary membership gives plant producers a professional and national profile. NZPPI lobbies on our behalf to government and enables the industry to work together for everyone’s benefit. NZPPI supports plant producers and helps reduce business risk, particularly with the biosecurity scheme Plant Pass.

You can support the plant producers contributing to industry good through their NZPPI membership.

NZPPI logo

Learn more about Plant Hawke’s Bay.

We are the Hawke’s Bay specialists in eco-sourced seeds and locally grown trees and shrubs.