1 October 2014

Maori forest owners from throughout Northland will meet in Moerewa on Friday to discuss how they might work more closely together to get the best for their people out of their forest resources

The meeting is a follow-up to some successful cluster meetings held in Kaitaia, Kawakawa and Whangarei in June where Maori forest owners came together and outlined their aspirations in relation to their respective forestry land blocks.

The cluster hui were part of a bigger conversation about the emerging Northland Maori economy across fisheries, forestry, aquaculture, farming, water, geothermal, energy and other resources.

Pita Tipene, of the Ngati Hine Forestry Trust, said the cluster hui allowed Maori forest owners to better understand the Northland forest industry as well as the economic opportunities available to them.

At all the cluster meetings, the same messages came through, he said, where owners sought to get much more active in the management of their forestry assets while ensuring that there was a balance of commercial returns, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

"Above all else, Maori forest owners want to see the wealth from these assets being held within their own communities to create greater economic spin-offs and more employment for local people," Mr Tipene said.

He said that collaboration with key stakeholders across the Northland Forestry industry was imperative for success. The meeting will be held at the Moerewa Christian Fellowship Centre, from 10am.

Source: Northern Advocate. To read the full story click here >>