Forestry

Constraints on forestry set to slash unit supply

Friday - COMMENT: Carbon unit supply from forestry looks set to be limited by multiple factors - and by 2040 NZUs from new forestry are likely to fulfill only a fraction of demand, writes Ollie Batelier-Belton.

Government consulting on ETS charges for forestry

23 Oct 24 - The government is proposing setting an annual per hectare charge for forestry in the ETS at $14.90 - about half the price set by the previous government, but still a significant increase on what foresters formerly paid.

Gisborne cross-sector group established to guide landowners of highly erodible land

7 Oct 24 - By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | As the Government looks to take control of national forestry regulations from councils, questions linger on what it will mean for Gisborne.

OIO approves sale of West Coast forestry harvesting rights

3 Oct 24 - The Overseas Investment Office has approved Ngāi Tahu Forestry’s plan to sell harvesting rights to its 26,700ha forestry estate on the West Coast.

Environmental group challenges forestry claims

13 Sep 24 - By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | Environmentalists are rejecting claims by a forestry umbrella group that Gisborne District Council does not have the expertise to support and regulate the industry.

Councils to lose ability to make tougher local rules for forestry

6 Sep 24 - Foresters have welcomed the government’s announcement that it will roll back councils’ ability to introduce their own tougher rules for forestry, but the move is likely to be controversial with some local authorities.

Foresters say govt planting forecasts are wrong

18 Jul 24 - Foresters say the government's planting forecasts in its new climate plan are wrong, with the actual planted areas likely to be about half the government’s projections in 2024, according to the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.

Scion report on short rotation forestry met with scepticism

27 May 24 - A new report from Scion that says short rotation forestry holds the key to lowering fossil fuel use has been criticised by sustainable land use campaigners as well as an oil industry expert.

Concern over job losses at Scion

17 May 24 - Foresters are “deeply apprehensive” over potential redundancies of scientists at Scion, with a proposed 30 jobs losses - about 10% the forestry crown research institute’s workforce.

New forestry fees unfairly impact Māori

4 Apr 24 - By Liz Kivi | Recently implemented fees for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme are having a disproportionate impact on Māori, and the government didn’t consult adequately on the changes,...

Half of Tairāwhiti at risk of erosion - new data

28 Mar 24 - An estimated 182 million tonnes of eroded soil entered New Zealand's rivers in 2022, according to new research.

Foresters welcome ETS costs review

1 Mar 24 - The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the review of Emissions Trading Scheme fees is a relief for foresters facing excessive costs, but experts say forestry still faces an uncertain future...

Government announces review of forestry ETS costs

29 Feb 24 - Forestry minister Todd McClay has announced an independent review into the forestry component of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) register.

Forestry company loses sustainability certification

19 Feb 24 - Forestry company Ernslaw One’s Forest Stewardship Council certification has been suspended over damage from its forestry operations in Tolaga Bay in 2018.

Environment Commissioner suggests forestry levy to tackle wilding pines

24 Oct 23 - The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has suggested a levy on forestry companies to fund efforts to combat wilding pines.

Foresters take legal action against new ETS fees

10 Oct 23 - Foresters have filed a judicial review aiming to stop the government’s new fee system for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme, which they say will increase costs by several thousand percent.

Govt releases Cabinet papers on ETS forestry charges

5 Oct 23 - The government has proactively released cabinet papers on controversial new charges for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Foresters say new rules will lead to less planting

4 Oct 23 - A group that petitioned for a Ministerial inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti has welcomed new rules for exotic tree planting, however foresters say that the regulations will lead to less forest...

Govt defends new charges for forestry in ETS

3 Oct 23 - The government is defending new charges in the Emissions Trading Scheme, which foresters say will discourage planting, and some say could be open to legal challenges.