Growing in Selwyn: Cultivation and Collaboration with Southern Woods Nursery

Selwyn has experienced huge economic growth over the past decade - it’s one of the fastest-growing economies in the country - and Southern Woods Nursery is one of its bona fide stories.

Established in 1987 as a specialist producer of tree seedlings for fuelwood production and shelterbelts, in the last ten years the organisation has pivoted, innovated and adapted, and in the process transformed itself into a thriving, diversified horticulture business.

These days, the business produces millions of plants per annum, employing some 50 staff, and supplying plants to homes, green spaces, subdivisions and farms around the region and beyond.

Roots of Success

As far as success stories go, it was an unassuming start: Southern Woods’ first iteration was in low-margin tree seedlings for fuelwood and shelterbelts.

In the 2000s, an upswing in revegetation planting - and the growth of residential building in Selwyn -  saw the company’s focus evolve, increasingly supplying natives and garden plants to meet the demand.

Driving Change

But if those first few decades were characterised by stable, modest business-as-usual, the following were marked by the opposite - innovation, evolution and rapid growth - kick-started by the 2011 announcement of a new Christchurch Southern Motorway project.

“We quickly realised that the motorway would be a very significant opportunity in terms of expansion, and an opportunity to increase our scale, footprint and the diversity of our offering," says John Perry, CEO of Southern Woods Nursery.

“We could see the motorway would increase traffic and stimulate business in the area, so it was a clear opportunity to expand and grow.”

Working with NZTA and The Property Group, along with other local businesses looking to make the most of the new development, the Nursery swung into action.

With an acquisition opportunity providing a purpose-built plant centre, the business quickly went about establishing extensive new display gardens, securing additional production space, and expanding the business footprint up to 6.7 hectares.

Now with a thriving and diverse retail business and extensive arboretum space, Southern Woods showcases its enormous range of plants to the public in what it calls the "Southern Woods Experience”.

Branching Out

In an increasingly digital world, the nursery industry is sometimes seen as one of the last technological hold-outs.

Not so, when it comes to Southern Woods. As part of its diversification plans was the creation of a comprehensive website and online shopping portal - an unusual step in a traditionally offline industry.

Just in time too. When Covid-19 hit the country in 2020 - and as plant centres around the country struggled under lockdown - Southern Woods Nursery was hitting its stride.

“Along with the development of the plant centre, the addition of the online sales portal has significantly taken the business to another level, both in terms of revenue and in terms of its market offer,” says John.

“Our online sales portal is probably one of the leading websites in the industry for people buying plants and trees online, and also one of the leading websites for people just using it as a resource, so it has opened up a lot of channels for us to grow into the wider commercial market.”

Seeds of Collaboration

Underpinning that growth is a willingness to continually innovate, embrace change and be agile, ongoing investment in the business, and a great working relationship with the Selwyn District Council.

“We’ve made a conscious effort to work in lockstep with the council's roadmap for growth,” says John. “In the last twelve months especially, we've had a lot of engagement with the Council at that strategic level.”

John says that The Selwyn District Council is an organisation that works very well with industry while adhering to the core values of the region.

“The Selwyn region is about a strong connection to the natural landscape and diversity of the region and the community,” he says. “Maintaining that unique diverse identity, retaining that rich environment while growing is what we’re about and the Council shares a lot of values with us, so it’s been a really positive experience".

“It’s about working to achieve a good balance between what all stakeholders want when it comes to growth, including the council, industry, and the general public. What does good growth look like? What's going to meet everyone’s needs but still hold true to those overarching values? How do we move forward together?”

“Those sorts of conversations are really important, and the Council has done a really good job of interfacing with Selwyn business leaders in that respect to achieve balance.”

“Their outreach and engagement with industry is really valued."

Growing Together

Witness to 37 years of Selwyn change, the now 11.3ha Southern Woods Nursery has gone from a small wholesale nursery business mainly focused on the commercial market to a major multi-channel operation.

With a significantly diversified product line, Southern Woods is a trusted local supplier to Selwyn landscape businesses, property developers, farming, Iwi and the general public, and beyond.

“These days, it’s about working in the community to secure a better future for the district,” says John. “Southern Woods Nursery has an excellent ongoing relationship with a number of restoration groups, as well as other groups focused on native revegetation projects .”

The business also works closely with schools in the area, as well as Lincoln University, hosting student cohorts and offering introductions to plant propagation and production, giving young people insight into what it takes to run a commercially successful business that's great for the environment.

“We're here for the long game,” says John. “We’re a family business and we want to be part of the growth of Selwyn, working alongside the Council to grow the region in step with the community”.

“There are a lot of like-minded businesses out here that are working to be successful without losing sight of what makes Selwyn unique. Like us, they are staying true to that mission.”

“That makes Selwyn a great place to do business.”

Last modified: 08 May 2024 11:20am