28th February 2024 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Dear Members

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have stepped up to stand for Council, VP, and President roles. Your willingness to serve is commendable and reflects the active engagement of our membership. While final nominations are pending at the time of writing, it seems likely elections will be required. This is a positive indication of our Institute's vitality, and I applaud all who have put themselves forward.

The incoming Council, officially beginning its term on July 1st, will have important tasks ahead. If I assume the role of President, I intend to convene meetings of both the current and incoming councils beforehand to explore restructuring our Governance and Management systems. Our aim is to reduce reliance on excessive volunteer hours by 2026.

As you are aware, NZIF has been part of a collective seeking a Judicial Review on proposed ETS fees. I'm pleased to announce our efforts have led to a significant breakthrough: the Minister has agreed to an independent review of these fees. While we await the terms of reference, which will be made public soon, this represents progress. Regardless, we will persist with the Judicial Review process. For those who have pledged financial support, please expect invoices in the coming weeks. Importantly, the Minister has agreed to withhold invoices for the new fees until after the review is completed.

The current Government's focus on fulfilling its 100-day targets has understandably made it challenging to address other issues promptly. Nonetheless, discussions regarding matters raised during the election process are ongoing. Regarding the restriction on new planting, although details remain unclear, I've stressed the necessity of the need for clarity by July, as foresters prepare for 2025 planting and seedling orders.   The Minister is aware of this date but makes no promises.  

Additionally, National's proposed changes to Log Traders and Forest Advisors registration are still pending. While we await further updates from TuR officials, our involvement in the process remains minimal.

Our social licence issues continues to hurt us with first year enrolments at the SoF down from 40 plus in 2023 to mid 20’s this year.  As we know from previous periods, when demand for graduates picks up there is a lag as we try to get students through the degree.  Encouraging school leavers to pursue forestry tertiary education is crucial, especially with the cessation of TuR scholarships potentially playing a role. The NZIF Foundation may explore avenues to address this, contingent upon increased donations to the Charity.

Speaking of the Foundation, it was pleasing to see a number of members put their name forward to become trustees and once again I thank you for doing so.  The following have been appointed as trustees, Luis Apioloza, Peter Edwards, James Kerr, Ian Page (co-opted), Alex Wilson who join Tim Payn (Chair) and Lou Sanson (Trustee).  I look forward to seeing additional scholarships and grants in the near future.  

Council approved the 2024/25 budget last week which will be presented at the AGM.  The budget once again shows a loss as we work to develop and improve the registration process and the early career development program, bed down the CPD program.  Further the Levy Trust decided to award zero funds to the 2024 Future Foresters program and as such Future Foresters will be funded by drawings in 2024. Much of the above are one offs which will improve the services offered to members.  However, despite efforts to improve services, we must address the underlying budget deficit, as drawing from funds indefinitely is unsustainable.  

As always, I encourage anyone with questions, concerns, or comments to reach out to me directly or contribute to the newsletter.

Regards
James

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

Member's Voice

It is great to get some positive feedback from members.  This was received in regards to the recently attended Code of Ethics Webinar and we had some great online feedback as well.

I enjoyed the training and will keep signing up to these now that I know how good they are.
Andrew did a fantastic job, as did you and Russell.

Regards
Marion

Make sure you are keeping an eye out for future upcoming webinars!

Are you remembering?!

Have you read the latest Journal of Forestry?   Latest issue is out now!

The NZIF Forestry Handbook is always being updated.  Always some good reading to be found.

NZIF Foundation: Scholarships will be coming up again this year and they are always happy to receive any donations.

For our young foresters, remember to connect with the Future Foresters

UPCOMING EVENTS

NZFFA and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Field Days

The NZ Farm Forestry Association has partnered with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service to run some field days about the benefits of growing trees, other than pines.  These will cover land management, erosion control, riparian planting and shade and shelter, as well as commercial returns.

NZ Farm Forestry members will share their experiences of what grows well and where, success and failure, costs and returns.  They will showcase farm forestry in 20 locations across the country. 

Read more - Alternatives to Pine on your farm

2025 IUFRO Conference

Since 2017 there has been a rapid rise in global efforts to plant billions of trees at scale to mitigate climate change, address environmental degradation, reforest large areas devastated by natural disturbances (e.g. wildfires), and to accelerate development of the bioeconomy. In parallel, emerging technologies offer new opportunities to increase productivity, overcome labour constraints and to minimise environmental impacts of tree planting operations. The application of Indigenous Knowledge in forest establishment practices has also been gaining importance globally. As a result of all these factors, planted forest establishment is again a highly topical area of forest science and it is vital that forest regeneration and afforestation efforts are accelerated by adopting the latest advances in forest science and technology.

The goal of this next conference in New Zealand is to bring together forest leaders, researchers, practitioners, and technologists to present the state-of-the-art science and technology being developed and implemented to address the opportunities and challenges associated with actively establishing and regenerating forest ecosystems in an increasingly complex, extreme, and rapidly changing environment.

Read here for more IUFRO Conference Detail

Book Launch

A Book Launch: How to save a forest: Conserving New Zealand’s Waipoua Forest
Preview the book at https://howtosaveaforest.com
Date: Saturday, 9 March, 2024.
Time: 11.00am till 12.30pm.
Venue: Vice-Chancellor’s Suite, B102, Old Government House, Auckland University, 24 Princes Street, Auckland CBD
The venue is close to the Thomas Building on the corner of Symonds Street, Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street. Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1nS55Qv92fGhQdUx7
Parking: Princes Street, Victoria Street car park, Waterloo Quadrant.
Light refreshments will be provided. 
RSVP by Saturday, 2 March, so that catering numbers can be confirmed.
Contact: Peter Thomas, 19 Bretton Terrace, Hillcrest, Hamilton,  021 127 8311 pthomas65@icloud.com

2024 NELSON CONFERENCE

Save the Date for the 2024 NZIF Conference!

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) Conference, promising an unforgettable experience packed with knowledge, networking, and professional development opportunities. Here's what you need to know:

Venue: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson 

Dates:  September 4th to 6th, 2024 

** Field Trips (Wednesday, September 4th): Explore diverse landscapes and gain hands-on insights into the latest practices in forestry.  Three field trip options will be made available

** Future Foresters Quiz Evening (Wednesday, September 4th): Test your knowledge and connect with fellow enthusiasts in a fun-filled quiz night.

** WIF & Fire Breakfasts (SIGs) (Thursday, September 5th): Start your day right with hearty breakfasts while engaging in Women in Forestry (WIF) and Fire discussions.

** NZIF Fellows Drinks (Thursday, September 5th): A great way to connect after the conference for a drink prior to the evenings events.

** NZIF Conference (Thursday, September 5th): Dive into a day of enlightening talks and discussions featuring a stellar lineup of speakers.

** NZIF Awards Evening (Thursday, September 5th): Celebrate excellence in forestry and honour outstanding contributions to the industry.

**AGM and CPD (Friday, September 6th): Participate in the Annual General Meeting and boost your professional growth with Continuing Professional Development sessions, a must for everyone!

More details about speakers, sessions, and registration will be released soon.

In the meantime, please make sure to mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss!

Let's shape the future of forestry together at the NZIF Conference 2024!

LOCAL SECTION EVENTS

Nelson Workshop: Indigenous Planting - achieving greater success in native plantings

You are invited to an informal presentation to share advice on achieving greater success in native plantings including species selection, methods of establishment, and longer term maintenance requirements.

Alongside Te Uru Rākau advisors, hear from some of those who have been involved in larger scale restoration projects in the region about the opportunities but also the pitfalls to watch out, for in establishing native plantings that require minimal ongoing care and highest chances of success. Te Uru Rakau is also interested in hearing what the barriers and issues are for the sector in achieving goals for native, and how the Service can better support these goals whether its protecting existing indigenous vegetation, planting riparian margins, or retiring larger erosion prone slopes.

Topic: Indigenous planting workshop

Covering:

• Key considerations such as species selection, timing, plant grades
• Maintenance requirements including ungulate management
• Methods – reversion, assisted reversion, reconstruction – and the constraints and opportunities for each        
• Building on existing remnants, corridors and riparian areas with real world experience detailing where the failures might happen and what to watch out for.

Speakers: Susan Moore-Lavo, Te Uru Rākau, Kumanu and Fiona Eade
When: Wednesday 20^th March, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Where: Whakatu Room, Nelson MPI Office, 118 Vickerman Street, Port Nelson

Registrations close: Tuesday, 19th March 2024

Register here

Nelson Presentation: Using LiDAR metrics to estimate Tree Height, DBH & Carbon Content

With new technologies the likes of LiDAR becoming more frequently available, the forestry industry has the potential to increase our understanding of forest volumes for a broad spectrum of benefits.

You are invited to come along and attend a presentation from Euan Mason, who will be presenting on his experience with LiDAR metrics to estimate tree height, tree DBHs and carbon content. 

Topic: Using LiDAR metrics to estimate Tree Height, DBH & Carbon Content.
Speaker: Euan Mason
When: Thursday 18^th April, 16:00 – 17:30pm
Where: Kārearea room at the OneFortyOne Office, 58A Gladstone Road, Richmond

Registrations close: Wednesday, 17th April 2024

Register here

WEBINARS

Australian CPD Webinar Opportunities for NZIF Members

WEBINAR FOR NZIF MEMBERS

NZIF and Forestry Australia are both running CPD webinars to provide CPD opportunities to members to help raise skill levels and raise the professionalism of forestry.

At the ANZIF conference on the Gold Coast both organisation's agreed to a reciprocal arrangement whereby we would notify each other of planned CPD webinars and welcome registrations from our Trantasman neighbour's.  This is a great way of increasing CPD opportunities for members of both organisations.

Forestry Australia's charging policy for CPD webinars is very similar to ours although there is a small currency benefit to the Australian members.  You are encouraged to take advantage of this reciprocal agreement with Forestry Australia. If you are unable to join their webinars in NZ time they are recorded and if you register you will be able to view later but you must registered and paid. 

Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions for participating in these webinars for both Australian Forestry and NZIF.

CODE OF ETHICS Webinar

It was great to have 89 people register for this event.

As forestry professionals we provide advice and make decisions that have far reaching effects for our employer, our clients and in many cases the public and wider society. People must have confidence that the professional accepts the demands of the codes, rules, laws, standards, etc., that govern the profession.

As professionals, we must take responsibility for being competent and acting ethically. Our actions play an important role in the way in which the ethics of the profession are viewed by the public. If we don’t behave ethically, we lose the public’s trust and confidence, and our standing and influence. Ethical practice is therefore at the core of a professional’s activity.

The Institute regularly receives complaints about Members and is obliged to investigate them. When a committee is convened to investigate a complaint the focus is on whether the Member has breached the Institute’s Code of Ethics rules or regulations.

It is therefore extremely important that all NZIF Members are aware of, understand and abide by the Code of Ethics. Registered members who benefit from the exemption for NZIF Registered members under the Real Estate Agents Act and those who are registered with MPI as a Forestry Adviser have a legal requirement to comply with the NZIF Code of Ethics.

The Webinar will be presented by Andrew McEwen, a long standing NZIF member, a current member of the Registration Board and a previous President, who led the review of the Institute’s Code of Ethics that resulted in the adoption of the current code in 2022. Andrew has presented previously to Members and is well versed on the topic.

MISSED THIS EVENT! - You can now purchase this webinar and others in the NZIF Shop

Upcoming Webinars

We will shortly be announcing some exciting webinars we have in store for you! From a captivating presentation on a Study Tour of Forestry Practices in the Pacific Northwest to insightful discussions on Kiwi Management in Commercial Forests, Legislation Relevant to Forestry, and New Valuation Standards, we have a diverse range of topics lined up to enrich your knowledge and broaden your perspectives.

But we don't want to stop there – we value your input and are eager to hear from you. We invite all members to email us your suggestions for webinars you may like to present or suggested topics you believe would benefit our wider membership in the future.

Together, let's continue to foster a vibrant community of learning and collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming webinars!

FIRE UPDATE

Fire Plan Consultation

Public consultation is open on the Southland Fire Plan, submissions close Thursday 14 March 2024, 5pm.

Fire Plans describe how we determine fire seasons or restrict/prohibit certain activities when the fire danger is high.

You can submit on the Southland Fire Plan 

The following link provides a link to all the FENZ draft Fire Plans

REGISTRATION BOARD UPDATE

From the Registrar 28^th February 2024  

APPLICATION FOR REGISTERED MEMBER 

• Dr Andrea Grant

NOTICE OF 5 YEAR REGISTRATION REVIEW  

The following Members are due for their 5-Year review of registration in 2023 and have not yet submitted their application: 

•  Dennis Neilson of Rotorua  

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 (5 June 2023) of the notice in this newsletter, specifying the grounds for the objection.  

The following Members are now due for their 5-Year review of registration which must be completed no later than 31 May 2024  

• Bill Lu of Auckland  
• Ellanese Mytton of Tauranga 
• Andrew Clark of Rotorua 
• Martin Watson of Christchurch 
• Peter Handford of Paekakariki 
• Edwin Jansen of Christchurch 
• Patrick Milne of Christchurch 

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 (14^th August 2023) of the notice in this newsletter, specifying the grounds for the objection.  

Peter Gorman, Registrar   
NZIF Registration Board  
registrar@nzif.org.nz  
+64 21 166 5938  

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