Don Turner
Owner
Don is our owner and boss. He has had a lifetime in the agricultural sector, as well as time running Tennis NZ. He’s continuing the process of learning about native trees, after founding Takana in 2008.
In 2008, when the Turners decided to start a big tree nursery, ideal land at Matakana was purchased, and Takana took shape. Takana has since moved to its present site on the Leigh Road /Takatu Road Corner.
Takana has a policy of stocking all the native trees which will grow in the North (i.e. from Waikato Bay of Plenty North).
Now Takana grows some 80 species, as well as intra-species variations. Perhaps half of these species are not commonly available from NZ nurserymen. All have their own beauty and place within our unique ecology. And surprisingly, many of us have little knowledge of these—how they grow and what conditions they suit. Which is perhaps why so much of our native planting has been confined to a handful of the best known species.
Takana became convinced that kiwis need to understand the story of their native trees better—and has set out to help tell this story. Takana believes we deserve and need more than just the best known species if we are to do justice to NZ’s rich biodiversity. There are many species to add greatly to the range of colours and forms of what we have previously been planting. There truly is a native tree for every situation—we no longer need to resort to planting exotic species in locations where previously insufficient native species were available.
Only a few of all the native species (for example, the alpine Beech family) have not succeeded in the warmth of the Matakana microclimate.
Takana stock has been nurtured through the difficult juvenile stage, where attrition rates can be high. Takana offers big trees only (normally the minimum is 45L grade trees, usually 1.5m +), so that customers can be confident they have robust stock ready to make their mark as fine specimens in their chosen position. Takana website species descriptions are consistent and accurate, so you have a lasting measure of what the tree needs, and how it should develop.
Takana wants to help you choose the right natives for your location—and give some options for your selection from the wide resource that we offer.
In 2008, when the Turners decided to start a big tree nursery, ideal land at Matakana was purchased, and Takana took shape. Takana has since moved to its present site on the Leigh Road /Takatu Road Corner.
Takana has a policy of stocking all the native trees which will grow in the North (i.e. from Waikato Bay of Plenty North).
Now Takana grows some 80 species, as well as intra-species variations. Perhaps half of these species are not commonly available from NZ nurserymen. All have their own beauty and place within our unique ecology. And surprisingly, many of us have little knowledge of these—how they grow and what conditions they suit. Which is perhaps why so much of our native planting has been confined to a handful of the best known species.
Takana became convinced that kiwis need to understand the story of their native trees better—and has set out to help tell this story. Takana believes we deserve and need more than just the best known species if we are to do justice to NZ’s rich biodiversity. There are many species to add greatly to the range of colours and forms of what we have previously been planting. There truly is a native tree for every situation—we no longer need to resort to planting exotic species in locations where previously insufficient native species were available.
Only a few of all the native species (for example, the alpine Beech family) have not succeeded in the warmth of the Matakana microclimate.
Takana stock has been nurtured through the difficult juvenile stage, where attrition rates can be high. Takana offers big trees only (normally the minimum is 45L grade trees, usually 1.5m +), so that customers can be confident they have robust stock ready to make their mark as fine specimens in their chosen position. Takana website species descriptions are consistent and accurate, so you have a lasting measure of what the tree needs, and how it should develop.
Takana wants to help you choose the right natives for your location—and give some options for your selection from the wide resource that we offer.
We sell native trees… at BIG tree stage!
We sell native trees… at BIG tree stage!
Don is our owner and boss. He has had a lifetime in the agricultural sector, as well as time running Tennis NZ. He’s continuing the process of learning about native trees, after founding Takana in 2008.
Robbie has joined Takana in 2022 as a marketing executive to assist Don in a number of areas as the Takana business grows. A much respected figure in Warkworth and nearby regions, he has previously managed tennis clubs and the Warkworth RSA. He is a former NZ Table Tennis titleholder, and these days maintains a high standard of tennis at Masters level.
A very experienced and competent nurseryman, Matt has been with Takana since 2015. In his previous life he had experience as a Builder, cabinetmaker, joiner, and formica fabricator. He also ran a Mitre 10 Garden Centre. Matt makes a point of enjoying everything he does, and we enjoy his nursery work. Leisure time for him involves gardening, walking, and visiting native bush walks.
Joseph (Ngati Manuhiri) manages our new Takatu Rd site. He is an excellent nurseryman, and brings other skills with machinery and equipment to our team.He loves to maintain his fitness, especially in his passion of surfing.
14A Takatu Rd, Matakana
0800 TAKANA (0800 825 262)
14A Takatu Rd, Matakana
0800 TAKANA (0800 825 262)
