6th November 2023 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Dear Members,
I had the privilege of attending our ANZIF conference in Coolangatta, where nearly 500 attendees and 120 speakers gathered for an enriching experience. I would like to acknowledge and thank the organising committee, especially Jack Palmer and Russell Dale, who made it all possible. Looking ahead, our next ANZIF conference, set to take place in New Zealand in four years, will mark our 100-year anniversary. It promises to be a celebration, and I urge you all to plan your attendance.
Currently, we continue to wait for our new Minister, but rest assured, we are working diligently to address pressing matters, including the contentious ETS fees. NZIF has established a Briefing for the Incoming Minister (BIM), which we will make available once we have delivered it. Additionally, the Pan-Sector group, comprising FICA, FOA, Nga Pou a Tane, TIF, WPMA, FFA, LTSC, BANZ, and FISC has also formed a BIM on areas where we all agree. The formation of the Pan Sector group has been a collaborative effort which allows us to present a unified voice and engage in constructive dialogue, even when we disagree.
In addition to this, we have formed partnerships with Federated Farmers and Forest and Bird, fostering understanding and collaboration. Working together with other land users strengthens our sector and amplifies our voice. We are also exploring partnerships with organisations like Save the Kiwi to see how we can help each other as well as aiming to create informative CPD sessions for our members interested in conservation efforts.
Speaking of CPD, we are actively working on enhancing our CPD program, expanding its offerings and seeking contributions from various experts. To sustain these initiatives, there might be a nominal fee associated with certain CPD sessions. Your suggestions for CPD topics are invaluable, so please feel free to share your ideas with Veronica at nzifoffice@nzif.org.nz.
Lastly, as many of you are aware, we have initiated a Judicial Review of the ETS fees, in collaboration with Climate Forestry Association, Nga Pou a Tane, and FOA. We are resolute in our belief these fees are unjust, and we await the Crown's response and will keep you fully informed on progress. We also intend to bring these unjust fees to the new minister's attention as soon as we know who the Minster is.
Thank you for your continued support. I understand times a tough, but I feel we have a great opportunity currently to advance NZIF, the profession of forestry and to highlight the value of all forests.
Thanks
James
CPD WEBINAR
National Environmental Standards - Commercial Forestry 2023 Webinar
The Government has recently released the changes to the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The implications of these changes are significant and apply from November 3rd 2023. Staff involved in the planning and organisation of all forestry operations need to be aware of these changes. The Government has recently released the changes to the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The implications of these changes are significant and apply from November 3rd 2023. Staff involved in the planning and organisation of all forestry operations need to be aware of these changes.
The webinar was presented by Presenter: Heather Arnold, PF Olsen to over 135 attendees online. Many could not make the live session, so we are now making it available for you to watch along with a copy of Heather's presentation and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry) Amendment Regulations 2023 document.
Webinar: (Webinar: 24:30 minutes Webinar + Q&A 49:01 minutes)
HOT TOPICS
Who are Save The Kiwi and what do we do?
Saving the Kiwi
Bringing kiwi back from endangered to everywhere is the purpose of Save the Kiwi (STK). We focus on the strategic investment in community and Māori-led conservation groups to reverse the decline of kiwi and start growing the population by at least 2% every year.
One of the focus areas of Save the Kiwi (while we work to reverse this decline), is to increase large-scale predator control around the motu to grow safe habitat for kiwi and other species. We know kiwi thrive in plantation forests as well as native forests and in partnership with native and plantation forest owners across the North Island we would like to explore the possibilities to develop safe spaces for kiwi to be returned to the wild.
In areas where there is predator control, the rate of decline is slowing, and some populations are even increasing. But much of Aotearoa forests remains unmanaged and therefore kiwi remain at significant risk due to predators.
Most New Zealanders have never seen a kiwi in the wild – we’re lucky if we’ve seen one behind glass. Despite it being an icon that we’ve become internationally recognised for, the kiwi is at very real risk of disappearing from the wild within a few generations … and many of us have no idea. We work to bring increased awareness to the kiwi’s plight, how important this taonga is to our identity, and what people can do to help. We also run a kiwi breeding and repopulation programme in partnership with dedicated incubation, brooding, and crèching facilities around the North Island.
Collaboration is key to everything Save the Kiwi does. We cannot do our work alone – and nor would we want to. Save the Kiwi works alongside iwi, conservation groups, communities, organisations, and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai to reverse the decline of the national kiwi population and create more kiwi-safe habitat all over Aotearoa. And we would love to work alongside NZIF and its members to continue to reverse the decline of this treasured taonga.
If you are interested in being a part of our mission to help us in our fight to save our national icon and simultaneously increase the biodiversity in your forest, please contact Craig Balsom our Forestry Specialist at craig@savethekiwi.nz
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
NZIF International Contribution to the Forest Fire Discussion
UN Forum on Forests Country-Led Initiative (CLI) hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India; was held 26-28 October 2023, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, India. This India-led initiative was to contribute to the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF19) discussion to be held from 6 to 10 May 2024 at United Nations Headquarters, New York. The Indian CLI was a two-day session focusing on two thematic areas: Forest Fires/ Wildfires and Forest Certification and Sustainable Forest Management.
NZIF was asked to contribute to the thematic session on forest fires. The NZIF Council members and Forest Fire Committee member Russell Dale made himself available to provide a New Zealand perspective to the forest fire session. Like many of the presenters, this contribution was provided virtually. In his presentation, Russell provided an overview of the New Zealand forest and rural landscape, the changes in landcover, eg., wilding pines, retired hill and high country lands from grazing, the impact of unwanted fires, the impact of recent large wildfires in Lake Ohau, Pukaki Downs, and Deep stream Otago. Russell also gave an overview of the fire structure in New Zealand and the role of significant forest owners and the Department of Conservation in supporting Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
This one fire service entity ie., FENZ, has no day-to-day land management responsibilities. This is causing concerns for forest and rural stakeholders when a disconnect occurs between the fire service and rural stakeholders. Strong leadership by all parties is essential for an effective outcome. Also covered in this presentation was an overview of the International Landscape Fire Governance Framework, endorsed by the 1,500 delegates who attended the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference in Portugal in May 2023. This Framework provides a solid framework and road map for all players involved in the management of fire in the forest and rural landscape.
Picture: Mount Cook Station Wilding Pine January 2008 Fire
Donations to the Foundation
Make a credit card donation as an NZIF member: Click here
Donations from member and non members can also be made through internet banking to BNZ 02 1269 0014573 00. Please include your name in the details fields. Please email the Foundation email to advise you have made a donation and whether or not you require a receipt for tax purposes.
The NZIF Foundation is a registered charity (CC47691) under the Charities Act 2005. Donations of $5 or more are eligible donations for tax purposes.
To discuss opportunities for larger donations to be applied to specific purposes, contact the Foundation Chair
View the NZIF Foundation Trust Deed
EVENTS
Future Proofing Forestry Contractor's Workshops
Designed for the contractors within your company, this series of six one-day workshops looks at building resilience for the future - looking after you, your people, and your business.
Make the most of this opportunity to learn from the experts on how to ensure your business can survive in uncertain times; how to make sure you’re able to ride out the lows and make the most of the highs.
Morning tea and lunch provided – FREE TO THE INDUSTRY thanks to the support of the Ministry for Primary Industries.
This programme of workshops is presented by FICA, A-OK Auckland, FISC/Toroawhi & Blackburne Group. Proposed dates for the Workshops:
Napier
20 & 21 November 2023
Tairawhiti
7 & 8 December 2023
Wairoa & other final workshop either H/Bay or Tairawhiti
18 & 19 December 2023
