Forestry

Govt to partner with private sector planting trees on Crown land

6 Dec 24 - Cabinet has agreed to look at public-private partnerships to plant trees on low value Crown land, in a move the government says will support New Zealand’s climate change targets and create more jobs.

Changes to limit ETS forestry will have 'dire consequences' - foresters

5 Dec 24 - Foresters say that new rules limiting farm to forestry conversions under the Emissions Trading Scheme are set to have dire consequences for forest growers as well as for the country’s ability to meet climate targets.

Environmental group slams new forestry regulations

5 Dec 24 - An environmental group advocating for sustainable land use in Tairāwhiti has lashed out at the government’s announcement it will restrict forestry to marginal land.

Gisborne councillors fear loss of control over forestry rules

2 Dec 24 - By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | Gisborne district councillors fear a proposed nationwide environmental standard will prevent the council from creating and enforcing rules to safeguard Tairāwhiti's “unique terrain”.

New carbon market rules could lock out forestry

19 Nov 24 - By Liz Kivi | New carbon market rules negotiated at the United Nations climate summit could have negative consequences for carbon forestry in New Zealand, experts are warning.

Constraints on forestry set to slash unit supply

8 Nov 24 - 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...

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...

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...

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.