Introduction

Introduction

Even as a young fella in Scouts I enjoyed Camping Trips into the back country and later Tramping Trips into the New Zealand Bush and out on the Hills. Arthurs Pass, Lewis Pass, Craigieburn and places closer to home like the Port Hills. I always enjoyed looking at plants, and in those days probably didn’t know the difference between Native and Exotic plants. I remember having younger folks with me on tramping trips and encouraging them to try the ‘Fruit Salad Plant’ where if they did they soon had a numb mouth from the horopito or Pepper Tree.

Just looking at how the plants interacted with each other. How some grew at the margins of the bush, while others waited for their old mates to die and fall down before pushing for the sunlight their demise gave them.
How the Lancewoods had a juvenile and interesting stage before becoming just a tree with a really neat trunk.
The High Country Grasslands held a special fascination for me. Especially in summer on a day when the Nor Wester was puffing. The colour, texture and movement was something grand.

I never considered the possibility of a nursery until we started growing trees for ourselves after buying a property with my brother at Orari.
We had too many so sold a few and it quite simply grew from there. We now have 5 staff working in the nursery on a permanent basis with others called in when the need arises. From growing just 5000 plants in 1996 to our planned production this season, 2023, of 1,200,000 it has been a fast ride.

All my training has come from books, the net and “trial and terror”

 

Cheers

After a health issue in 2024 Graham began to work on a succession plan to see Orari Nursery into the future. As much as he wanted to do it forever, his body had other ideas.

Sadly, Graham passed away in April 2025, leaving far too soon to see his ideas fulfilled.

We think of all Graham and team have done here, growing and supplying tough NZ Natives for around 30 years ! Sending them all over NZ, the staggering amounts of plants added to our environment. The positive impact within our environment, and also the people he worked with, is tremendous and inspiring. We carry on here, loving what we do, growing and supplying plants, in his memory, with an aim to continue his legacy, Orari Nursery Limited 

Thank you for your support,

Stacey Smith – General Manager 19/5/2025