Nursery operations originated from Dennis’ work between 1979 and 1987, when he was the nursery manager for the Ministry of Works Kauri Nursery, Northland. Here, and in conjunction with the Aokutere Plant Science Centre in Palmerston North, extensive government funded research and development was carried out in both plant material production and revegetation implementation techniques, pioneering many of the approaches to large scale landscape restoration and repair currently used in New Zealand.

Following government restructuring during the late 1980's the Ministry of Works nursery operations were privatised prompting D.J. Scott Associates Limited to establish their own nursery at Pataua North, Whangarei. The block was purchased as bare farmland, and over the past 20 years it has been restored into a mix of exotic and native woodlots and indigenous conservation planting. This has been a testing ground for experimenting and improving on many of the techniques and methodologies originally developed at the Ministry of Works.

The Nursery operation now occupies the central valley flats, bounded by the streams that lend the property it's name, 'Awarua' or 'twin streams.' The D.J. Scott Associates Limited organisation has continued to expand with the Whitford Nursery opening during the mid 90's and a specialist propagation nursery based in Kerepehi.

The nursery operations allow us to guarantee plant supply for projects. With the appropriate lead-time we can eco-source our seed and grow the required plants as per management plan specifications. Having this form of vertical integration allows us to produce top quality plant material at the best possible prices, and in grades that are most suitable to the site, the environment and client objectives.