Forest Talk

A million native trees have been planted in Greater Wellington regional parks, a milestone in efforts to reforest former grazing land.

The millionth tree was planted in Queen Elizabeth Park, celebrating the ongoing work of mana whenua, community groups, and volunteers at planting days facilitated by Greater Wellington.

Council Chair Daran Ponter says the council’s Recloaking Papatūānuku planting programme is about working with the community to ..... more

It was a quick about turn that led to Sophie Cusack pursuing a career in the forestry industry.

Although she is from a logging family, it was a different kind of outdoor career she was considering, having set her sights on a farming future.

That all changed as she contemplated her next steps during her final year at high school. She is now based in the Tauranga offices of Matariki Forests.

From Masterton, Sophie grew up around forestry – ..... more

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