Forest Talk

Early next month, Innovatek’s Carbon Forestry 2026 conference is on in Rotorua.  The August 4 and 5 conference arrives at a critical juncture as the industry shifts its focus toward the emerging era of Natural Capital.

As climate policy and global investment converge, Carbon Forestry 2026 will provide forest managers, investors, and landowners with the clarity needed to navigate a volatile market and a complex regulatory landscape.

“We are..... more

Students across Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay have experienced first-hand the people, technology and opportunities that make New Zealand’s forestry sector such a vital contributor to the country’s economy and communities.

With the support of forestry companies, contractors and log trucking operators, nine primary schools welcomed foresters and truck drivers into their classrooms and playgrounds to share the message that Wood i..... more

The Government’s review of how Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is funded should be accompanied by a wider examination of whether FENZ is delivering for rural communities, forest owners say.

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) and Federated Farmers have written to Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden calling for an independent review a decade after the creation of FENZ.

The Minister has since confirmed a review of ..... more

Identifying wood species isn’t always easy.  But Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao researchers have been working to provide information that should help.

They have been investigating the use of mass spectrometry to help make identifying wood species easier for forest owners. The research explores faster, more efficient approaches, using analytical chemistry.

“We use a technique called Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry..... more

Time is running out to save two significant mills in Kaitāia from closure.  Northland Regional Council (NRC), Far North District Council (FNDC) and Northland NZ (NNZ) are calling on central government step in to limit job losses, as NNZ continues to work with potential investors. 

Juken New Zealand, a Japanese-owned company, earlier this year sought expressions of interests to buy its two mills in Kaitāia – Northland Mill and Triboard plant..... more

It’s 72 years since John Wardle began his career in forestry, and it would be fair to say he’s seen a lot of change over that time.

Brought up in Hāwea Flat, Central Otago, it made sense that he would look for an outdoor job and he secured an opportunity as a forest labourer in Southland at 18.

He says he was lucky to gain experience in a range of forestry activities, including horse extraction of small forest material, pruning with long-handle..... more