21 March 2015
New Zealand forest harvest volumes declined in 2015 for the first time in seven years as uncertainty about future prices prompted plantation owners to hold back from felling their trees.
Forestry News
Hikurangi Forest Farms falsely accused
18 March 2016
The claim made this week that local stakeholders in the Gisborne forestry industry have accused Hikurangi Forest Farms of boycotting the Prime Sawmill appears to have little basis, according to an article in The Gisborne Herald. It appears to be part of a dispute between a Swiss-based conservation fund and HFF's parent company, Malaysian-owned Samling Group.
Time to level the playing field
16 March 2016
In a wide-ranging address, Wood Council chair Brian Stanley, has called upon the government to level the playing field for the forest and wood products industries. He says they are tilted against New Zealand's interests in overseas markets and domestically by environmental legislation that favours intensive livestock farming over forestry.
New wood products partnership launched
11 March 2016
The formal launch today of the Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership, marks a new chapter for the forestry sector in New Zealand, says the Associate Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Jo Goodhew.
Landcorp confirms forest-to-dairy backdown
8 March 2016
State-owned farming company Landcorp has confirmed it is backing away from a massive planned forest to dairy conversion on the Wairakei Estate in the central North Island. Almost 40 dairy farms, running 30,000 cows were planned for the land leased at the Estate, where Landcorp currently runs 13 dairy farms with 17,000 cows.
Forest companies help reduce Northland road dust
19 February 2016
Two forestry companies have agreed to fund the application of dust suppressant on stretches of roads in Pakotai serviced by their logging trucks.
Making progress with safety
2 February 2016
Although there were fewer deaths and serious injuries in forestry last year, a safety group says there's still got a lot of work to do to reach the goal of zero fatalities.
WorkSafe figures show serious injuries halved to 78 in 2015 from 160 in 2013, with three forestry workers dying last year.
Exceptional Efforts by New Zealand Forester Rewarded
12 January 2016
The Wood Council of New Zealand is delighted that Dr Andrew McEwen has received an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours' List for services to forestry. The Wood Council of New Zealand is the peak body representing forest growers, forestry contractors, wood processors and manufacturers.
Andrew McEwen honoured for services to forestry
11 January 2016
Andrew McEwen, immediate past president of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF), received an Officer of the Order of Merit in the New Year Honours list for his services to forestry.