PRESIDENTS COLUMN

Over the last fortnight I have been sent various newspaper articles all with a similar theme. Large areas of farmland are being converted into forest and most articles seemed to imply this was bad for NZ. It is an interesting debate, as at the same time MoE scored exotic forestry as the land use with the lowest impact on soils. Personally I believe land use change is something NZ has always accepted. Most farms were forests in the past, most vineyards were farms, many exotic forests have been converted to farms, many farms have been converted to forests. What is happening now is a continuation of history and I would be loath to see restrictions placed on landowners right to use the land as they see fit (subject to meeting the RMA and national environmental standards).

However we must be aware of public sentiment and not stay silent on the matter. We all know there are many great reasons why forests are better than farms in many locations; however we are not very good at telling the public why they are and the benefit they bring to NZ. Likewise there are some circumstances where our practices could improve and again we should admit to these and openly discuss what we are doing to improve.

Over the weekend I took my daughter tramping to a very crowded hut (37 people in a hut for 26); in discussion with many of the other trampers it became very clear most have no idea about our sector except the negative news they have read about; Tolaga Bay, pines poison soils, forestry is destroying communities, we export 90% of our product as logs and don’t have any care for NZ construction sector, etc etc. It got tiring trying to correct the mistruths and lack of understanding. However calm and fact-based discussions opened at least some of my fellow hut users eyes and they agreed they actually needed to understand the sector more before passing judgement. As I walked out the next day I pondered what I and NZIF could do to get our positive news out to the public; and it is at this point I ask members for their thoughts and advice.

During my time as President and VP, I have written and sent out many media releases which 80% of the time don’t get picked up by mainstream media. When invited to speak to groups, it is often to people who understand forestry and only wish to know more. In other words we are not getting the message to Joe Public who picks up what they read in Stuff or the Herald but otherwise have little to no interest in forestry. These are the people who only read the negative and feel forestry adds little to Aotearoa. How to get our positive messages to these people is the question which is nagging at me.

At one stage during my time on the council, the use of a professional public relations person was raised, but did not go ahead as (if memory serves me correctly) it was considered too expensive and not in the remit of NZIF’s objects. I am not so sure about the latter as the objects state 6.5 Representing the forestry profession and 6.6 Acting as an independent advocate for forestry. I would think both of these suggest NZIF has a role to play to promote forests of all types.

I am not suggesting we hire a PR person (yet); however members, I am looking for practical suggestions in regards to how NZIF can get the positive forestry message and story out to the general public. As always I look to members for help as the Council are volunteers and can only do so much. However I am personally very ready to try whatever it takes to get the message out. I look forward to receiving your ideas; either directly, or even better via members voice.

Let’s see if we can change the narrative.

Thanks

James

MEMBERS VOICE

Has anyone really read these documents? The Primary Sector Council's Vision and Strategic Outline (“Fit for a Better World”) report of July 2020 mentioned ‘forest’ twice, ‘fish’ 6 times and ‘farm’ 40 times. The Primary Sector Climate Change Commitment (“He Waka Eke Noa”) report of July 2019 mentioned ‘forest’ 4 times and ‘farm’ 169 times (with no fish).  Those numbers tend to illustrate the mindset of the people commissioning and writing these strategic documents.  What’s more, they strongly influence the message these documents give to the public: farms are really important, other land uses (and fishing) are incidental.  This is colonial thinking. 

We imported northern hemisphere farm animals because our native biodiversity did not grow enough meat. We imported northern hemisphere tree species because our native biodiversity did not grow enough timber.  Now the land is fully stocked with exotics.  We depend on them.  But why should our exotic trees be given a bad name and relegated, when sheep, goats, cows, pigs and deer - that are equally exotic and do more damage to the environment - are celebrated?

It’s time we grew up, and based the value of our land on the true cost of the externalities of the land use.  Maybe the Primary Sector Council should focus on that.

Howard

Howard Moore

Wellington

INSTITUTE UPDATE

NZIF 2021 Conference information and speaker topics

Hello Members

The Masterton forestry sector is very much looking forward to hosting the conference this year, and registration is open! “Pride and Passion in Forestry” is our topic and we have an excellent line up of speakers with our keynote speaker Beth Welden zooming in from Australia to inform us on their Forest Learning Program and how to inspire a younger generation of foresters.  To that end we have 2 agricultural classes from Rathkeale College attending the conference and the field trips.  So we can show them how we roll.

Other speakers to look forward to are updates from The Change Commission, Te Uru Rakau and Hon Minister Stuart Nash as our guest speaker at the conference dinner.

We have 2 field trip options to choose from this year.  Town or forest based, and with a bus load of students attending this should mean full bus trips, so book your spots early. 

The Women in Forestry Breakfast is open to any woman attending the conference and also local women working in our related sectors who may want to attend.  Tickets are available to this as a separate event.

We will update with further information and speaker topics in the coming weeks, so start planning your Wairarapa visit now.

Erica Kinder

CEO

Southern North Island Wood Council

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NZIF 2021 Conference 

Registration is open!

27th to 29th June 2021

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park
High Street
Masterton 

We are excited to be presenting a varied and inspiring lineup for our next conference to be held in Masterton in the mighty Wairarapa.  We all know how passionate our sector work force is about what we do, and we are seeking to showcase some of this pride with our lineup of speakers and CPD sessions. 

Read more

NZIF Conference Programme   

Sunday 27th June 2021

10am - 11am - Registration Opens

11am - 1pm - CPD workshop - Forest Fire protection - How can we stay ahead. Presenter Murray Dudfield.

As a forestry professional what are the key elements and knowledge which then empowers us to contribute to the efficient and effective management of fire in the forest and rural landscape.
New Zealand is not shielded from periods of extreme wildfires normally associated with Australia or North America.  The 2017 Port Hills and 2019 Pigeon Valley forest fires are an example of what has occurred in recent years. The annual average direct financial impact of unwanted forest and rural fires on the New Zealand's economy is estimated at $67 million, with indirect costs estimated to be at least 2-3 times this.
In the management of fire in the forest and rural landscape the frequent challenges for agencies and individuals responsible for making decisions relating to forest and rural land use, and uncontrolled vegetation fires, lies in testing the effectiveness of such decisions. Decisions need to take account of the uncertainties and risks, and opportunities that may be the consequences of these decisions.
    “…the ability to deal with a crisis situation is largely dependent on the structures that have been developed before chaos arrives. The event can in some ways be considered as an abrupt and brutal audit: at a moment’s notice, everything that was left unprepared becomes a complex problem, and every weakness comes rushing to the forefront.”      Preventing Chaos in a Crisis, Lagadec, p. 54
The management of fire in the forest and rural landscape is both an art and a science. Topics to be covered in this NZ Institute of Forestry CPD session includes fire legislation, funding of fire services, fire research, fire weather monitoring, exposure, capability and liability.

1pm - 2pm - Light lunch

2pm - 4pm - CPD workshop - Eagle Technology - ArcGIS. Presenter Cathreine O'Shaughnessy

ArcGIS is the world-leading spatial or GIS technology used across widely across many domains including Forestry. The workshop provides a practical overview of the ArcGIS System as well as in-depth coverage of how it is being used to address the unique challenges that face the Forestry industry. Specific topics covered include how to maximise the value of timber assets, reduce costs, and improve forest management with solutions for data collection, map analytics, and remote sensing. 

• Collect field data - Give fieldworkers powerful mobile GIS applications for accurate data capture.
• Analyse inventory - Empower forest managers to make better and more informed decisions.
• Monitor Operations - Visualise forest operations with dashboards that integrate maps and streaming data feeds.

11am - 4pm CPD Workshop - Leadership Development Course, limited to 12pp, Presenter Matt Williams from The Learning Wave

A practical workshop gives participants real tools to:

• Better understand their responsibility as a leader’s to influence participation and good results (individual/team and organisational
• Engage other/team members to shift from their attitude towards a ‘professional who is proud of their work performance’
• Understanding of their/others capability – current mix of skill and attitude (Capability Compass)
• Positively challenge the ‘old boss’ attitudes and help set the tone
• Adapt their leadership response to get better work and safety outcomes  

4.30pm - 5.30pm - NZIF 93rd Annual General Meeting

5.30pm - 6.30pm - After AGM drinks

7pm - 10.30pm - Future Forester Quiz night Venue: Gateway Motor Inn

Monday 28th June 2021

8am - 8.45am Registration Opens

8.45am - 8.50am Iwi Welcome

8.50am - 8.55am Conference Welcome by Conference Chair - Erica Kinder

8.55am - 9.15am Kerrin Ma - Mayor of Wairarapa

9.15am - 10.15am Forest Learning in Australia, Presenter Beth Welden (via Zoom)

10.15am - 10.45am Supporting and cultivation the young crop, Presenter Dave Saatho

10.45am - 11.15am Morning Tea

11.15am - 11.45am What every NZer needs to know about climate change, its impacts and what we can do about it, Presenter Professor Tim Nash

11.45am - 12.30pm Review of Climate Change Commission Submissions, Presenter Rod Carr TBC

12pm - 1.15pm Lunch

1.15pm - 1.45pm Carbon Farming and small woodlots, Presenter Kevin Reardon

1.45pm - 2.15pm Forest Investments, Presenter Bert Hughes

2.15pm - 3pm An Update of the Forest Advisors and Log Trader Amendment Act, Presenter Kay Shapland

3pm - 3.30pm Afternoon Tea

3.30pm - 4pm History and Timber Properties of the Carterton Event Centre - A Wairarapa Timber story, Presenter Paul Jordan

4pm - 5pm Future of Te Uru Rākau, Presenter Henry Weston 

5pm - 5.10pm Closing for the day, Erica Kinder

5.15pm 6.15pm After Conference Cocktail Party

6.30pm Bus pickup from Solway Hotel, Masterton for the Conference Dinner

7pm - 10.30pm Conference Dinner and Awards, Caterton Event Center, After dinner speaker, Hon Stuart Nash

10.30pm - Bus back to Solway Hotel, Masterton

Tuesday 29th June 2021

7am - 8.30am Women in Forestry Breakfast, (Women Only) Presenter Susan Kilsby, ANZ Bank’s Agriculture Economist (8.40am - 8.45am Welcome to Conference

8.45am to 9.45am Positioning the forest industry to be a major player in regenerating natural capital, growing regional economies and transitioning to new zero emissions, Presenter Warren Parker

9.45am - 10.15am Forestry Myth Busting, Presenter Tim Payn

10.15am - 10.30am Closing of the Conference, Erica Kinder

10.30am - 11am Morning Tea

11.15am - 4pm Field Trip -Town Tour – Log Distribution & Timber Processing

The Town Tour doesn’t need to take you far to see industry best practice in motion.
To showcase the region’s timber processing capability, Juken NZ Ltd (JNL) is opening its doors for a tour of their Masterton sawmill for the production of high value engineered timber products.
Adjacent to JNL, the tour will continue through the Waingawa rail yard, where C3 operates the log marshalling and transit hub on behalf of partners CentrePort and KiwiRail. $8m was spent in 2020 upgrading this essential infrastructure and doubling its capacity.
Around the corner from the hub, specialist log cartage company McCarthy Transport will take a tour of their expanded Pakihi Yard and talk about its significant investments and changes.
Thanks to JNL, C3, McCarthy Transport, Forest Enterprises and LDL.

11.15am - 4pm Field Trip: Forest Tour – Farm Forestry & Advanced Logging Systems

The Forest Tour heads out to Tinui to an operational harvest setting and to Rewanui Forest Park.
Mechanised harvesting practices are key to improved safety and productivity outcomes. JNL’s logging operation will demonstrate a Logchamp swing yarder with grapple system and tethered felling machine in action.
Along the way is Rewanui Forest Park, a 334ha property near Masterton on the Castlepoint road. It has areas of native bush, open grassland and sites suitable for growing both native and exotic trees. Rewanui is a trial site for native and exotic timber trees.
Thanks to JNL, Havard Logging, the Montfort Trimble Foundation and the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association.

Accomodation 

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park Wairarapa

Group booking reference number #70947

Conference Rate $140.00 per room per night

Best way to book accommodation would be –

Email reservations@solway.co.nz or phone the hotel direct on 0800SOLWAY (0800765929)

Please state the booking reference number #70947 or that they are attending the NZIF Conference.

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From the Registrar

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION FOR REGISTERED MEMBER

The following Members are now a Registered Members:

• Garry Townley of Russell
• Barry Murphy of Rotorua

 SUCCESSFUL 5 YEAR REGISTRATION REVIEW

Continuing Registration:

• Rosa Rivas Palma

APPLICATION FOR REGISTERED MEMBER STATUS

The following Member has applied to become a Registered Member:

• Tim Crone of Nelson

Any member of the NZIF has the right to object to an application. Any objection should be lodged with the Registrar registrar@nzif.org.nz within 20 working days of the first appearance (3 May 2021) of the notice in this newsletter, specifying the grounds for the objection.

REGISTRATION REVIEWS 2021

The following members are due for 5-year review of their status as a Registered Member during 2021 and have not yet applied;

• Hamish Marshall
• John Galbraith
• Brian McKinlay
• Paul Jensen
• Kit Richards
• Brian Rust
• Paul Bradbury
• David Crawley
• Ross Wade
• Graham West

Please make a start on the review procedure by filling out the online form and submitting it early in the year so that everyone’s review gets completed before December 2021.

USE OF NZIF WEBSITE FOR APPLICATIONS, ANNUAL DECLARATIONS AND CPD.

All applications for 5-year Reviews and New Applications for Registered Member status should be made using the online facility on the NZIF website (must be logged in and go to the “Members Only” section). Note that if you do not have time to complete the application in one session there is a “Save” facility that allows you to come back and complete it before submitting.

The annual declaration for Code of Ethics/Professional Indemnity/Real Estate experience can only be entered online. Go to your Profile and click on APC (Annual Practising Certificate) and populate the boxes appropriately. All RM’s need to use the online entry from now on.

CPD – is still entered online but is Submitted only once each year, as at the end of December. Saving your CPD is not the same as Submitting it. Once it has been Submitted you cannot edit it but if something goes awry please get in touch and we will get Admin to assist. The CSV upload facility is available for bulk data and if you require this please get in touch.

Alan Bell, Registrar 
NZIF Registration Board

registrar@nzif.org.nz

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Nominations for the 'Forester of the Year' and 

'The Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry'

FORESTRY EVENTS

Celebration of Vivien Edward’s biography of Mary Sutherland

You are invited to join the Celebration of Vivien Edward’s biography of Mary Sutherland

To be held at

Eastwood Café, Scion Research

End of Titokorangi Drive (formerly Long Mile Road)

Rotorua

5pm, Thursday 3^rd June 2021

Open invitation (so pass on to friends)

But please RSVP for catering purposes to admin@nzif.org.nz by 24^th May 2021

Enquiries to Andrew McEwen, am.mcewen@xtra.co.nz or 0274733262

Book available for purchase at $45 per copy

Why you will be interested in the story of Mary Sutherland:

• First woman in the world to graduate with a forestry degree (Bangor, North Wales, 1916)
• Employed as a professional forester by New Zealand State Forest Service (1923 – 1932)
• Botanist, Dominion Museum Wellington, (1933-1946)
• Supervisor/superintendent, YWCA hostel at Woburn (Lower Hutt) for young women employed on war work (1943-1946)
• First farm forestry officer, NZ Department of Agriculture (1946-1954)
• Founding member of NZ Institute of Forestry in 1927, designed official seal (forms basis of today’s logo), served on Council in 1936 and as vice-president 1941-42.  Her legacy seeded the NZIF Foundation’s Mary Sutherland Scholarship
• Member of NZ Forestry League (elected to Council in 1936)
• Member of Botanical section of the Wellington Branch of the Philosophical Society.
• Member of NZ Federation of University Women (now Graduate Woman), served on Wellington branch and national committees

Professional forester, botanist and advocate for women’s access to higher education

A review of the book is available at https://www.ketebooks.co.nz/all-book-reviews/a-path-through-the-trees-vivien-edwards

Copies of the biography can be purchased on-line from the publisher at https://www.bookpublishing.co.nz/  or enquire at all good independent bookshops.

Thanks to sponsors

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O Tatou Ngahere

O Tatou Ngahere (OTN) is a comprehensive programme of research that details how native forests can be integrated into our whenua for the benefit of all. The project is a collaboration between Pure Advantage and the foresters and scientists of Tāne’s Tree Trust, who champion the valuable role our native species can play in the future of forestry in New Zealand.

Our aim is to firmly embed the myriad benefits of native forests into New Zealanders’ thoughts and actions and in the process improve our natural ecosystems and landscapes, contribute to rural economies, and help New Zealand play its part in mitigating climate change.

We have produced a short documentary illustrating the work that we do and what we hope to achieve. There is also a suite of 37 essays from well-qualified thought leaders in areas related to native forests.

And we are running topical webinars every week. The webinars are posted online for viewing afterwards. 

Nga mihi

Jacqui Aimers

Trustee, Tane’s Tree Trust

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Register now for the 2021 Carbon Forestry conference

Conference: Wednesday 16th June 2021

Pre-conference networking: Tuesday 15th June evening.

Our Carbon Forestry Conference is back for 2021 to serve a range of delegates. Strategically motivated corporate investors are acquiring land for carbon planting as are niche international investors.

Recent rises in carbon prices have seen local emitters with emission obligations become motivated to form collectives to purchase marginal land suited to afforestation to establish forest portfolios. Their objectives are closely aligned to key Government policy directions.

Conference sessions will provide expert opinions across the debate. In close cooperation with Government our pre- and post-conference workshops and seminars make this conference a key focus for professional attention.

Make sure you don't miss out on your seat at this year's Carbon Forestry event! Earlybird registration rates are available now.  Register now

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Climate Smart Forestry – a focus on the fundamentals

During this time of increased political, social and economic focus on the importance of forests, the role of professionals in managing our trees and woodlands has never been more prominent or under scrutiny. It’s critical that the ‘right tree, right place’ approach is understood and applied to a high standard across the sector.

The Institute’s National Conference 2021 is focused on ensuring our members are both equipped and empowered to deliver effectively on the UK-wide tree planting aspirations currently proposed by government.  Increasingly our forests and woodlands are being relied upon to deliver against a wide range of objectives, including climate change mitigation, water quality, wood products, biodiversity, wildlife management, recreational use and public health benefits.

Meeting these aspirations will require expertise in all areas of the science and art of forestry, but crucially, we need a thorough understanding of the fundamentals such as site selection, soils, species choice and silvicultural practices that underpin the successful creation and management of woodlands. What are the future needs for woodlands we’re planting today and how does that choice affect our decisions?

The UK government has a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and has set an ambitious target of 30,000 hectares/year of new planting by 2030 to help meet this commitment. Together with an overhaul of agricultural support across the UK this brings opportunities as well as challenges. We need to be prepared to meet those challenges.

National Conference 2021 will be held on the 30^th September and will be a one day online event focusing on how these challenges have been met overseas. Delegates will hear from a superb international line-up of forestry experts, researchers and practitioners ‘on the ground’. We’ll look at what’s currently being done well, what could be done better and how professional foresters can adapt their skillsets to prepare for the future demands of our sector. Our themes are Site, Species, Silviculture and Woodland Mangement.

National Conference 2022 is planned to be a physical event in late April (date to be confirmed) and will continue this theme from a UK perspective.

Contact

Your initial contact for this event is Louise Simpson, Development Director

Louise.simpson@charteredforesters.org

FORESTRY NEWS

Year One Review of the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry

The report on the Year One Review of the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry is now publicly available and can be found at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/44914-Report-on-the-Year-One-Review-of-the-National-Environmental-Standards-for-Plantation-Forestry

Plantation forests continue to play a key role in contributing to New Zealand’s climate change, environmental, cultural, social, and economic aspirations. Ongoing implementation for the NES-PF following Year One review includes:

•  Our transition to a low-emissions future will require plantation forests to play a substantial part, both in removing carbon from the atmosphere and providing fuel for low emissions technologies.
• Overall, the Year One review found that the NES-PF is effective, but further implementation support for councils and the forestry sector would lift performance and compliance.
• The key findings of the Year One Review will be considered within the Government’s response to the Climate Change Commission’s upcoming recommendations and wider resource management reforms, to support the right tree in the right place.

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is happy to receive comments and questions about the Year One review. Please direct enquires to NES-PF@mpi.govt.nz

Ngā mihi

Dr Susan Secker|  Manager| Forestry Operational Policy

Forestry & Land Management Directorate
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service