Our family's fully developed nursery and whānau butchery. Here, the spirit of The Grey Area Nursery's Hunter Gardener Gatherer Wānanga comes alive, led by the indomitable Rawiri (Ra) Clay, a man whose life has been a testament to the wisdom of the land.

Ra's deep roots in the community and his profound knowledge of Aotearoa's natural bounty form the bedrock of our vision. From a young age, Ra roamed the ngahere, dived into the ocean's depths, and tended to gardens that provided organic kai.

His experiences have shaped not just his skills, but a philosophy that honors the interconnectedness of people, whenua, and kai.

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We believe in more than just teaching skills; we aim to rekindle a connection to the whenua and kai that sustains us. Our workshops, aptly named Hunter, Gatherer, Gardener, are immersive journeys into the koha of sustainable living.

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Participants learn to hunt deer, pigs, and goat, master the intricacies of home butchery, and dive for kai moana like paua and crayfish. They forage the forest for edible treasures and medicinal plants and delve into aquaculture with eel and koura.

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In our gardens, the secrets of vegetable propagation, orchard care, and permaculture techniques unfold.

We teach the magic of transforming soil through composting and the art of gathering seasonal seeds.

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Each lesson is a step toward food sovereignty, a solution to food insecurity, and a path to a healthier, more sustainable future.

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Ra’s decades of expertise, his passion for eco-tourism, and his dedication to traditional Māori practices make our workshops unparalleled. The hands-on, immersive experiences we offer are set in a landscape enriched by generations of love and labour.

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Through the Hunter Gardener Gatherer Wānanga, we envision a world where communities are empowered, food systems are resilient, and the legacy of the land is preserved for future generations